< ;  S' 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


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THE 


Earl  of  Mayfield. 


A.     isr  O  "V^  E  L 


FORTIS    ET    FIDELIS. 


The  opening  scenes  in  "  The  Earl  of  Mayfield"  are  laid  in  Louisiana  during  tht 
early  days  of  the  Rebellion,  the  hero  is  a  rich  planter,  and  the  heroine  is  a  lovely 
example  of  pure  womanhood.  The  old  English  home  is  very  likely  a  correct  photograph 
of  an  ideal  house,  as  many  similar  ones  exist  in  that  identical  locality.  It  has  the 
advantage  of  having  but  few  characters,  with  good  descriptions,  excellent  dialogues, 
well  sustained  interest,  and  contains  all  the  elements  of  a  successful  novel,  the  whole 
being  well  told,  within  the  limits  of  probability,  and  ought  to  be  a  success. — CRITIC. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

T.   B.   PETERSON  &  BROTHERS; 

306    CHESTNUT   STREET. 


copyright: 

1879. 


CONTENTS. 

♦  ♦  » 

Chapter  Page 

I.   HASTY  RETREAT 21 

n.    HARD   ROWING 26 

m.   THROUGH   FIRE    UNTO    DEATH 42 

IV.   FRIENDS   OR   LOVERS  ? 51 

V.   HOME  AGAIN 63 

VI.   MASTER   AND    SLAVES 73 

Vn.   A   SPECULATION   THAT    PAYS 84 

Vni.   A   SLIGHTED    HOST 100 

IX.   PEACE    AND   WAR 109 

X.   BLACK   AND    WHITE 122 

XI.   DINER    EN    FAMILLE 135 

XII.   FREE    AS   AIR 145 

Xrn.   AN    HOUR   WITH   LINCOLN 154 

XIV.   FOR   LACK   OF   HAPPINESS 168 

XV.   LIFE   AT   COURT   LODGE 178 

XVI.   A   COISIPROMISE 188 

XVn.   AN   EXCURSION 197 

XVni.    NEWS    FROM   ABROAD 211 

XIX.   A   NEW  EARL 224 

(19) 

603134 


20  CONTENTS. 

Cliapter  Page 

XX.   THE  PARTING 234 

XXI.    INCIDENTS   ON   SHIPBOARD 242 

XXn.    NEAYS   FROM   HOME 253 

XXin.    SOLICITOR    AND    CLIENT 264 

XXIY.    LONDON   BRIDGE 277 

XXV.    THE   ANCESTRAL    HOME ,  .  .  .    287 

XXVI.   THE    NEW   EARL 305 

XXVII.    OLD    FRIENDS   AND    OLD   PLACES :  .    319 

XXVIII.   REMINISCENCES 331 

XXIX.   A  PLEASANT   SURPRISE 342 

XXX.   MAIDENLY  RESERVE 358 

XXXI.    "  JE   COMPRENDS — BON   SOIR." 375 

XXXII.   UNDER   FALSE  PRETENCES 391 

XXXIII.  HIS   OWN  TRUE  LOVE 404 

XXXIV.  A   SPARKLING  INTRUSION 414 

XXXV.   THE  WHITE   CLIFFS   OF  ENGLAND 424 


THE  EARL  OE  MAYEIELD. 


CHAPTER  I. 

A    HASTY    RETREAT. 


THE  period  is  the  year  1862,  and  in  the  early  spring 
—  just  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  where  Grant 
dealt  the  first  of  a  series  of  tremendous  blows  to  the 
yet  powerful  Confederacy. 

In  the  rebel  camp,  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village  of 
Corinth  in  Mississippi,  sat  a  young  and  handsome  man, 
who,  though  in  the  first  bloom  of  manhood  —  not 
exceeding*  twenty  years  —  already  wore  the  impress  of 
care  and  weariness ;  his  expressive  and  frank,  but  sad, 
blue  eyes  were  lit  up  by  the  last  rays  of  the  glowing 
southern  sun,  just  dropping  behind  the  neighboring 
hills. 

He  was  clad  in  the  faded  uniform  of  a  private  soldier 
in  the  Confederate  cavalry,  his  heavy  sabre  lay  on  the 
ground  beside  him,  being  too  weighty  for  his  exhausted 
frame  to  bear.  Around  on  every  side  rose  the  confused 
murmurs  of  a  large  camp;  the  neighing  of  horses, 
shoutings  of  men,  rolling  of  ambulances  bringing  in 
the  wounded  from  the  recent  disastrous,  and  not  distant 

(21) 


22  THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD. 

battle  field.  Now  and  then  the  suppressed  cry  of  a 
wounded  soldier  would  strike  the  ear,  as  the  wasrons 
moved  slowly  and  heavily  on  to  the  hospital.  It  was 
truly  a  sad  and  depressing  scene,  and  one  not  calcu- 
lated to  cheer  the  gloomy  spirits  of  our  hero,  for  such 
he  was. 

His  name  was  Thomas  Carew,  a  wealthy  planter 
from  Louisiana,  of  English  descent,  as  was  abundantly 
testified  by  his  blonde  hair  and  complexion  —  his  fea- 
tures were  of  the  purest  and  highest  type  of  the  Arj^an 
race  —  acquiline,  frank  and  open — a  face  not  easily 
forgotten  by  those  who  once  gazed  upon  it,  or  who  had 
heard  the  sweet  but  strong  tones  of  his  rich  and  pure 
English.  But,,  to  return,  he  was  one  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  sugar  planters  who  were  opposed  to  seces- 
sion ;  but  unlike  him,  however,  most  of  them  had 
succumbed  to  the  pressure  of  circumstances,  and  finally 
cast  their  fortunes  with  the  southern  cause. 

Carew  had,  however,  remained  firm,  and  steadfastly 
adhering  to  his  principles,  refused  to  join  the  rebel 
army,  except  under  the  pressure  of  a  rigorous  conscrip- 
tion ;  hence  his  presence  on  this  occasion,  and  in  the 
uniform  of  a  humble  private  in  the  ranks;  though 
owing  to  his  large  wealth  and  social  position,  added  to 
the  advantages  of  a  military  education,  he  had  been 
offered  the  command  of  a  regiment.  In  order  to  ex- 
plain such  sentiments  in  a  born  southerner,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  digress  a  little. 

The  parents  of  our  hero  died  while  he  was  a  mere 
boy,  and  his  education  was  left  to  his  maternal  grand- 
father— a  stern  and  uncompromising  abolitionist  —  who 


<m 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  23 

instilled  liis  own  ideas  on  the  subject  of  slavery  into 
the  mind  of  his  ward  and  grandson.  Thus  his  education 
and  whole  habits  of  thought  were  directed  in  a  channel 
which  seemed  adverse  to  his  future  interests  as  a  large 
slaveholder,  and  which  principles  were  certainly  in 
strong  contrast  to  and  in  opposition  to  the  feelings  of 
Southern  society.  Carew  had  now  become  his  own 
master,  having  been  emancipated  under  the  laws  of  his 
State  two  years  before  the  period  we  are  now  treating 
of;  and  he  had  confirmed  in  his  own  mind,  by  habits  of 
study  and  travel,  the  ideas  with  which  he  had  been 
trained.  Let  these  brief  remarks  suffice  for  an  explana- 
tion of  his  conduct  and  present  position.  Without 
further  delay  we  will  return  to  our  subject. 

The  Southern  army,  though  at  first  triumphant,  had 
lost  ground  in  the  battle  before  mentioned,  from  the 
moment  that  Johnston  fell.  The  troops  had  fought 
bravely,  but  without  confidence,  and  became  badly  con- 
fused. Rumors  were  already  current  that  a  retreat 
would  have  to  follow,  which,  under  the  circumstances, 
could  be  little  else  than  a  rout.  Hampered  as  they 
were  by  immense  numbers  of  wounded,  and  a  most 
miserable  condition  of  roads,  the  future  looked  gloomy 
to  the  last  degree. 

Such  were  the  reflections  of  Carew.  "How  can  it 
be  possible,"  thought  he,  "that  ultimate  success  can 
be  achieved.  Failure  is  certain.  I  never  have  believed 
that  the  South  could  compete  with  the  North  physically: 
and  now  that  I  am  on  one  of  the  great  theatres  of  ac- 
tion and  can  see  for  myself  the  actual  condition  of 
affairs,  the  fearful  want  of  means  on  every  side,  and, 


24  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

add  to  all  this,  the  disparity  of  numbers,  renders  it 
an  easy  task  to  predict  the  end !  If  Grant  were  aware 
of  the  true  situation  in  this  camp,  he  would  at  once 
follow  up  his  victory  and  strike  a  decisive  blow ! " 

At  this  moment,  he  was  approached  by  his  valet ;  for 
strange  as  it  may  seem,  many  of  the  Southern  soldiers, 
privates  not  excepted  —  were  attended  by  one,  and 
sometimes  two,  of  their  faithful  slaves,  who  acted  as 
body  servants  to  their  masters ;  and  let  us  here  remark, 
that  these  poor  creatures  were,  with  rare  exceptions, 
faithful  unto  the  end  !  The  man,  who  was  dressed  in 
the  same  uniform  as  his  master,  and  might  have  been 
about  ten  years  older,  touched  his  cap  in  military  fash- 
ion, and  silently  handed  a  note  to  him.  The  young 
man  hastily  opened  and  read  —  with  difficulty  in  the 
fast  fading,  short  Southern  twilight  — the  following 
lines : 

"Dear  Carew:  —I  have  been  fortunate  in  obtaining 
for  you,  a  full,  and  honorable  discharge  fi'om  the  army 
and  herewith  enclose  it.  My  dear  friend,  you  are  now 
free,  and  it  is  my  earnest  advice  to  you  to  depart 
immediately  ;  for,  (this  in  strict  confidence)  it  has  been 
decided  to  retreat  at  once,  and  preparations  are  now 
being  made  for  an  immediate  backward  movement.  I 
have  handed  Sebastian  transportation  orders  on  the 
train  for  Memphis  at  nine  o'clock  to-night;  you  will 
have  to  leave  your  horses — it  will  be  impossible  to 
take  them :  if  however,  you  will  leave  them  to  me,  I 
will  be  obliged  for  their  use,  and  will  take  the  best  pos- 
sible care  of  them,  for  I  know  how  highly  they  are 


THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  25 

valued  by  you.  Now  I  must  say  adieu  ;  I  would  like 
to  shake  hands  with  you,  for  we  may  never  meet  again. 
But  you  know  how  I  am  situated,  in  the  midst  of 
hundreds  of  poor  creatures  who  are  more  in  need  of 
my  services  than  you  I  Go,  my  friend,  and  may  God 
speed  you.  "  Yours  faithfully, 

"James  Montrose." 

"  Here  are  the  tickets,  sir,"  said  Sebastian.  "  Dr. 
Montrose  said  we  had  better  go  to-night,  if  you  are 
able  ;  because  this  may  be  the  last  train  for  Memphis : 
the  Yankees  may  be  here  to-morrow.  How  do  you 
feel,  sir?" 

"  I  am  better,  thanks,  and  think  the  Doctor  is  right, 
—  the  sooner  we  leave  this  place,  the  better.  I  can't 
rest  here,  whereas  in  Memphis  I  may  be  able  to  recu- 
perate a  little." 

It  is  needless  to  describe  the  discomforts  of  the  ride 
of  ninety  miles  to  Memphis.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  they 
found  themselves  in  the  Gayoso  house,  at  breakfast 
time  on  the  next  morning. 

We  will  remark  in  this  place,  what  should  have  been 
stated  before,  viz :  that  as  the  train  moved  out  of  the 
station  at  Corinth,  it  was  rumored  that  the  forts  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi  had  been  passed  by  the  Federal 
fleet,  and  that  New  Orleans  had  fallen  ! 


26  THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD. 

CHAPTER  II. 

HARD    ROWING. 

WHILST  at  a  late  breakfast,  Carew  read  in  the 
Memphis  Avalanche  —  a  wretched  apology  for  a 
newspaper,  printed  half  of  its  usual  size,  on  the  blank 
side  of  a  sheet  of  wall  paper  —  a  full  confirmation  of  the 
fall  of  New  Orleans,  and  which  had  been  only  rumored 
the  night  before.  This  startling,  though  to  him  not 
unexpected  news,  as  he  was  fully  aware  of  the  real 
weakness  of  the  defenses  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi, 
caused  a  still  greater  perplexity  in  his  mind  as  to  his 
future  course. 

We  should  have  mentioned  before,  that  on  leaving 
the  Confederate  army  he  had  determined,  after  a  short 
stay  in  Memphis  for  recuperation,  upon  attempting  an 
escape  to  the  North.  He  had  a  small  property  in  the 
vicinity  of  Saratoga,  where  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
spending  his  summers.  He  thought  if  he  could  get 
there,  he  might  remain  in  retirement  until  the  end  of  the 
war  ;  for  he  was  firmly  determined  on  this  point,  viz.: 
that  if  his  principles  forbade  entering  the  rebel  ranks, 
he  was  equally  bound,  on  the  other  hand,  not  to  draw 
draw  the  sword  against  his  native  state. 

Now,  however,  the  fall  of  New  Orleans,  coupled  with 
the  great  reverse  sustained  by  the  Southern  cause  at 
Shiloh,  and  which  would,  in  his  opinion,  be  succeeded 
by  an  early  cessation  of  hostilities,  made  it  desirable  to 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  27 

return  home  as  soon  as  possible,  in  order  that  he  might 
look  after  and,  if  necessary,  protect  his  large  interests ; 
for  the  fact  of  his  presence  in  the  rebel  army  might 
lead  to  confiscation  by  the  United  States,  if  he  remained 
indefinitely  absent. 

These  considerations  induced  a  change  of  plans. 
The  great  difficulty  was,  how  to  get  back  ?  This  may 
seem  an  absurd  question,  as  indeed  it  would  have  been 
only  three  or  four  days  earlier;  but  at  the  moment, 
every  avenue  of  travel  southward  was  cut  off.  All  of 
the  railway  communications  were  destroyed ;  therefore 
the  river  presented  the  only  remaining  resource.  On 
investigation  and  inquiry  at  the  offices  of  the  different 
agents,  Carew  found  that,  not  only  were  there  no  steam- 
ers bound  for  the  South,  but  that  the  inhabitants  along 
the  banks  of  the  river  were  in  a  state  of  absolute  panic. 
The  few  steamers  still  remaining  below  Vicksburg  were 
fleeing  to  the  vicinity  of  Memphis,  and  some  of  them 
were  being  concealed  in  the  tributaries  of  the  great 
river,  where  they  would  be  secure,  b}^  reason  of  the 
shoal  water,  from  seizure  b}^  the  hostile  fleet,  which  was 
now  reported  as  being  on  its  Avay  up  the  Mississippi. 
This  report,  however,  was  premature,  as  we  shall  see 
further  on. 

When  prosecuting  his  inquiries  about  the  town, 
Carew  had  some  conversation  with  a  young  Lieutenant 
from  Mississippi,  who  was  going  home  on  a  short  leave 
of  absence.  Elijah  Creel  was  a  typical  Southerner  of 
his  class.  The  only  son  of  a  highland  cotton  planter, 
he  had  been  brought  up  with  a  fair  enough  education, 
but  was  thoroughly  impregnated  with  the  belief  that 


"28  THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

the  South  was  tlie  greatest,  most  civilized,  wealthy  and 
brave  nation  in  the  world,  and  in  addition,  that  his  own 
native  State  was  the  leading  one  of  the  Confederacy. 
He  was  firmly  convinced  that  all  the  boastings  of  the 
Southern  papers  were,  if  anything,  short  of  the  truth ; 
that  one  Southern  man  "  could  whip  three  Yankees  any 
day,"  and  the  defeat  at  Shiloh  was  in  reality  a  triumph; 
the  army  was  only  falling  back  for  strategic  reasons ; 
that  the  Yankees  would  soon  find  themselves  entrap- 
ped, etc. 

Notwithstanding  all  this  nonsense,  however,  he  was 
an  amiable  and  clever  fellow.  He  was  anxious  to  join 
Carew  on  liis  journey  as  far  as  his  own  home,  which 
was  a  short  distaiice  below  Vicksburg,  a  few  miles 
in  the  interior. 

Our  hero  willingly  agreed  to  have  the  young  man's 
company. 

By  this  time  it  was  evening.  Carew,  not  being  in 
the  best  of  health,  and  much  disturbed  by  the  unpro- 
pitious  aspect  of  affairs,  strolled  out  of  the  hotel. 
Without  aim,  he  wandered  on  listlessl}',  revolving  in 
his  mind  various  schemes  for  getting  Southward  and 
bitterly  regretting  the  loss  of  his  splendid  horses,  with 
whom  he  and  his  man  might  have  undertaken  this 
journey  of  about  eight  hundred  miles.  It  would  have 
been  almost  impossible  to  procure  horses  in  Memphis, 
nearly  everything  in  the  shape  of  horse-flesh  having 
been  long  since  pressed  into  the  service.  Besides,  he 
had  not  sufficient  means  in  hand  to  pay  for  steeds,  could 
he  have  found  them. 

He  now  discovered  from  the  manner  in  which  he  was 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 


29 


Strolling  about,  that  he  had  left  the  principal  streets 
and  was  nearing  the  open  country.  Thinking  it  time 
to  turn,  he  looked  for  a  seat  whereon  he  might  rest  for 
a  few  moments.  He  soon  discovered  a  railing,  in 
advance  of  his  present  position  only  a  few  steps,  which 
formed  the  enclosure  of  a  small  public  park,  now  quite 
deserted,  though  it  was  not  yet  more  than  nine  o'clock. 
To  this  point  he  bent  his  way  and  was  soon  comfortably 
seated  in  a  small,  but  neat  enclosure,  laid  out  with 
gravel  walks  and  embellished  with  a  fountain,  flowers, 
a  few  trees  and  an  ample  supply  of  iron  benches,  all  of 
which  were,  as  we  observed  before,  deserted. 

It  may  be  well  to  state  before  going  further,  that 
Carew  was  a  firm  Christian  believer.     He  belonged  to 
no  denomination,  but  accepted  all  the  essentials  of  our 
sublime   but   simple   faith  with  the   full   assent  of  a 
vigorous  mind.     But,  as  is  the  case  with  many  others  in 
the  like  situation,  although  a  theoretical  Christian,  he 
was  not  a  practical  one,  and  on  this  point  his  conscience 
sometimes  reproached  him  with  laxity.     On  this  even- 
ing, as  he  sat  in  the  clear  and  cool  moonlight,  listening 
to  the  soft  plash  of  the  fountain,  his  mind  reverted  to 
these  subjects ;   but  we  will  not  weary  the  reader  by 
revealing  the  polemics  which  agitated  him  as  to  this  or 
that  tenet,  preferring  instead,  to  go  straight  on  with 
our  story.     As  his  eye  wandered  about,  it  fell  on  a 
small,  but  handsome,  stone  church  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  park  from  where  he  was  seated.     Its  walls  were 
covered  with  a  luxuriant  growth  of  ivy,  on  which  fell 
the  full  rays  of  the  brilliant  moon,  now  near  its  full. 
As  the  rich,  velvety,  vine  waved  slightly  to  and  fro 


30  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

in  the  gentle  breeze,  it  communicated,  apparently,  a 
motion  to  the  slender  spire,  which  shot  up  to  a  consider- 
able height  and  was  terminated  by  an  elegant  gilt  cross, 
glowing  like  molten  gold  and  reflecting  the  rays  of  the 
moon ;  while  at  the  very  apex  of  the  sacred  symbol,  so 
close  in  line  as  to  seem  part  of  it,  glittered  the  bright 
evening  star.  Taken  in  connection  with  his  previous 
reflections,  this  almost  seemed  a  special  vision.  The 
whole  effect  was  so  congenial  to  his  mood,  so  appro- 
jDriate  to  his  situation,  that  he  thought  of  miracles  and 
then,  naturally,  of  Constantine,  and  for  the  first  time  he 
fully  believed  in  the  possibility  of  the  truth  of  the 
wonderful  ajDparition  of  a  blazing  cross,  as  revealed  to 
the  eyes  of  the  monarch ! 

As  Carew  gazed,  his  heart  throbbed,  and  a  new-born 
hope,  tempered  by  serene  faith,  filled  his  soul.  His 
conscience  at  the  same  instant  smote  him  with  ar  full 
realization  of  liis  ingratitude  to  the  good  God,  who  had 
thus  far  sustained  and  befriended  Mm,  and  for  whose 
aid  he  had  not  even  thought  of  being  grateful.  He 
murmured  a  few  broken  words  in  reprobation  of  his 
conduct,  and,  with  eyes  fixed  on  the  glittering  symbol, 
breathed  a  short,  fervent,  prayer  of  thanks  for  the 
comfort  he  had  received,  coupled  with  a  firm  determi- 
nation to  become  a  more  practical  Christian  in  future. 

He  now  returned  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  his  hotel 
and  went  cheerfully  to  bed,  throwing  off  all  care  for 
the  morrow ;  feeling  a  full  confidence  that  some  means 
would  be  discovered  by  which  he  and  his  faithful 
Sebastian  could  be  extricated  from  this  dilemma  and  go 
on  the  way  home  rejoicing. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  31 

The  next  morning  he  arose  early,  refreshed  and 
strengthened  by  the  first  good  night's  rest  he  had 
enjoyed  for  some  time.  As  he  descended  to  the  break- 
fast-room, Lieutenant  Creel  advanced  along  the  passage 
and,  with  a  joyous  countenance,  announced  that  he 
and  Sebastian  had  hit  upon  a  mode  of  pursuing  their 
journey.  It  was  not  an  original  mode,  however,  for  the 
first  explorers  of  the  mighty  Father  of  "Waters  had 
traveled  in  the  same  manner;  but  to  modern  minds, 
used  to  luxury,  the  proposition  of  Creel  to  descend  the 
Mississippi  for  about  eight  hundred  miles  in  a  small 
row  boat  was  not  very  alluring,  especially  to  a  sick 
man,  whose  health  was  never  robust  or  capable  of 
enduring  much  at  the  best. 

Carew  was,  therefore,  not  as  enthusiastic  as  his  friend 
expected.  It  required  some  persuasion  to  induce  him 
to  walk  doAvn  to  the  river  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting 
the  Lieutenant's  purchase ;  for  in  the  first  gush  of  joy 
at  the  thought  of  this  means  of  escape  he  had  given 
two  hundred  dollars  in  Confederate  money  for  the  skiff. 

It  was  not  more  than  fifteen  feet  in  length,  rather 
narrow  in  proportion,  and  had  never  been  decorated 
with  a  coat  of  paint.  Sebastian  was  as  anxious  to  get 
home  as  his  master,  on  account  of  a  coquettish  young 
slave,  who  had  plighted  her  faith  to  him,  but  as  Sallie's 
head  was  easily  turned,  he  feared  that  a  too  prolonged 
absence  might  be  turned  to  his  disadvantage  by  some 
one  of  her  numerous  beaux. 

He  therefore  joined  Creel  in  entreating  his  master 
to  take  to  the  boat,  promising  to  do  all  the  work  and 
make  him  as  comfortable  as  possible. 


32  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"Well,"  said  Carew,  finally,  "I  consent;  but  there 
must  be  no  inequality  between  us  as  to  the  labor  to  be 
performed.  Of  course,  it  is  necessary  that  our  craft 
should  have  a  commander,  and,  if  you  are  willing,  I 
will  accept  the  post ;  but  otherwise  we  will  be  equals 
in  everything." 

To  this  proposition,  after  some  demur  as  to  the 
offer  of  equal  labor,  Creel  assented;  Sebastian,  of 
course,  never  opposing  his  master  in  any  matter.  It 
doubtless  seems  strange  to  the  reader  that,  given  two 
young  men  of  about  equal  3-ears  —  Creel  being  in  fact  a 
trifle  the  elder,  and  also  enjoying  a  higher  rank  in  the 
army, —  the  Lieutenant  should  defer  so  much  to  Carew ; 
but  the  facts  were  that  the  latter  was  well  known  for 
his  great  wealth  and  high  social  position.  Added  to 
these  were  his  grave  and  polished  manners,  which  gave 
him  an  appearance  of  age  he  would  not  otherwise  have 
possessed.  This  brief  digression  will  sufficiently  ac- 
count for  the  superiority  assigned  our  hero. 

"Let  me  pay  you  for  the  boat,  Creel,"  said  Carew, 
who  was  alw^ays  ready  to  play  the  part  of  Grand  Seig- 
nior; but  this  the  spirited  fellow  w^ould  not  allow. 
"In  that  case,"  pursued  he,  "mine  shall  be  the  privilege 
of  furnishing  supplies.  Sebastian,  take  what  money  we 
have  to  spare,  after  providing  for  the  hotel  bill,  and 
expend  all  but  a  few  dollars,  which  we  may  need  on 
our  journey,  in  the  purchase  of  a  few  articles  of  cloth- 
ing, and  put  the  remainder  in  provisions  for  our  boat, 
which,  with  your  permission.  Lieutenant,  I  will  now 
christen  the  'Wanderer.'  1,  at  the  same  time,  express 
the  fervent  hope  that  she  will  carry  us  safely  down  to 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  33 

— not  the  bottom  —  but  to  our  respective  destinations. 
And  now,"  continued  he,  "when  shall  our  journey  be 
undertaken?  I  think  the  sooner  the  better,  as  some- 
thing may  occur  in  these  troublesome  times  to  detain 
us;  whereas,  if  we  are  once  launched  upon  this  inland 
sea,'  with  a  good  stock  of  provisions,  we  will  be  as  free 
as  were  the  aborigines  who  formerly  paddled  its  waters. 
My  vote,  therefore  is,  that  we  depart  this  evening,  as 
soon  as  our  preparations  are  completed." 

To  this  proposition  the  others  gave  an  immediate  and 
glad  assent.  It  was  more  than  they  had  hoped,  judg- 
ing from  the  lukewarmness  with  which  Carew  had 
consented  to  the  enterprise.  But  it  was  one  of  his 
peculiarities  to  prosecute  vigorously  anything  he  had 
determined  upon,  and  now  that  he  was  moving,  it  would 
require  greater  obstacles  to  detain  him  than  would 
probably  be  sufficient  to  thwart  Creel,  who  was  of  a 
mercurial  disposition,  and,  like  most  of  his  Southern 
brothers,  buoyant  in  undertaking,  but  easily  depressed 
and  lax  in  execution. 

They  set  out  that  same  evening.  It  was  bright  and 
clear  as  the  Wanderer  was  pushed  off  from  the  wharf 
at  Memphis ;  Creel  waving  his  cap  in  farewell  to  the 
city,  and  then  quaffing  a  libation  of  tolerable  whisky,  in 
which  Sebastian  and  his  master  joined,  to  the  success  of 
the  voyage. 

They  were  pulled  well  out  into  the  stream  by  the 
man,  who  then,  at  his  master's  command,  drew  the  oars 
in  and  allowed  the  boat  to  drift  with  the  current,  which 
was  at  this  season  very  pow,  rful. 

In   this  eventful  year  of  1862  the  Mississippi  was 
2 


34  THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

swollen  to  a  greater  height  than  had  ever  before  been 
recorded  in  itb  history  —  a  circumstance  as  favorable  to 
the  approach  of  the  Federal  fleet  as  it  was  unfortunate 
for  the  adverse  party  —  unfortunate  in  a  double  sense; 
for  it  at  once  supplied  an  abundance  of  water  for  the 
heavy  ships  of  Farragut's  squadron,  and  at  the  same 
time,  caused  an  almost  innumerable  number  of  breaks  — 
crevasses  they  are  called.  In  the  complicated  system 
of  levees  erected  to.  restrain  the  waters,  these  crevasses 
were  allowed,  with  but  few  exceptions,  to  flow  through 
the  whole  of  this  season,  and  did  an  incalculable  amount 
of  damage  along  the  delta  ;  the  planters  being  too  much 
demoralized  by  the  expected  approach  of  the  enemy  to 
display  either  sufficient  will  or  energy  in  attempting 
their  stoppage. 

About  midnight  the  moon  arose,  and  for  the  remainder 
of  the  night  the  boat  continued  to  drift  along  at  a  rate 
of  something  more  than  three  miles  an  hour.  But  for 
the  coldness  of  the  night,  our  party  would  have  enjoyed 
the  novelty  of  their  surroundings;  launched  as  they 
were  on  the  great  river,  in  the  midst  of  profound 
silence,  broken  only  by  the  ripples  of  the  current. 
Thus  did  they  go  through  the  night  and  the  whole  of 
the  ensuing  day,  without  seeing  a  soul  or  meeting  with 
craft  of  any  description.  Apparently  the  country  was 
uninhabited,  for  both  banks  were  fringed,  in  most  cases 
to  the  water's  edge,  with  trees  ranging  in  size  from  the 
giants  of  the  forest  to  willows  of  a  year's  growth. 

As  they  had  a  good  supply  of  provisions  and  cold 
coffee,  which  when  cold,  though  not  palatable,  retains 
its  stimulating  qualities,  they  did  not  land,  but  con- 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  35 

tinued  to  drift  with  the  current,  only  using  the  oars  at 
times  when  the  boat  seemed  likely  to  run  into  the  bank 
or  come  in  contact  with  drift  logs,  which  abounded. 

At  midnight,  however.  Creel  suggested  that  they  stop 
for  an  hour  or  two,  to  build  a  fire  and  get  up  something 
warm  before  continuing  through  the  second  night.  As 
they  had  made  fair  headway  thus  far,  having  gone 
about  seventy-five  miles,  computed  at  about  the  rate  of 
three  miles  an  hour  for  the  preceding  twenty-four  hours, 
Carew  assented,  the  more  readily  that  he  felt  the  cold 
and  discomfort  of  the  cramped  position  he  had  been 
compelled  to  occupy,  mare  than  he  was  willing  to  admit. 

As  Sebastian  had  noticed  an  opening  in  the  forest 
two  or  three  miles  ahead,  and  it  was  now  dark,  they 
determined  to  make  for  this  point,  hoping  to  find  a 
wood  yard.  These  were  usually  distributed  at  inter- 
vals of  twenty  or  thirty  miles  for  the  convenience  of 
steamers.  In  this  they  were  not  disappointed.  Here 
was  quite  an  extensive  clearing  of  the  trees.  A  large 
quantity  of  wood  was  piled  up,  wdth  two  old  negroes 
watching  it,  seated  by  a  fire  in  the  open  air. 

It  was,  probably,  a  fortunate  circumstance  which  led 
to  this  stoppage  of  the  journey,  for  the  men  informed 
our  party  that  there  existed  numerous  crevasses  for  a 
considerable  distance  down  the  river,  which  breaks  were 
in  some  instances  so  large  that  a  boat  might  easily  in 
the  night  mistake  one  of  them  for  the  river  channel,  be 
drawn  in  by  the  powerful  current,  and  thus  destroyed. 
In  fact,  they  stated,  in  addition,  that  the  steamer 
"  General  Quitman,"  one  of -the  finest  and  largest  boats 
on  the  river,  was  now  lying  in  a  cotton  field,  half  a  mile 


36  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

from  the  river,  having  gone  into  one  of  these  crevasses 
in  a  fog. 

These  statements  induced  Carew  to  determine  upon 
staying  where  they  were  for  the  night.  A  small  gra- 
tuity, supplemented  by  a  supply  of  tobacco,  of  which 
negroes  are  inordinately  fond,  procured  the  use  of  a  hut 
hard  b}^  and  after  shaking  down  a  bed  of  fresh  dry 
leaves,  with  the  addition  of  a  pair  of  blankets  from  the 
boat,  they  made  shift  to  pass  a  tolerable  night. 

Sebastian,  with  the  assistance  of  the  other  negroes, 
got  up  a  fair  breakfast  early  the  next  morning.  It  was 
rendered  doubly  grateful  by  reason  of  the  warm  coffee. 
After  the  meal,  they  pushed  off  and  pursued  their 
journey  without  incident,  beyond  noting,  as  they  went 
along,  the  accuracy  of  the  information  they  had  received. 
They  also  saw  the  steamer  above  mentioned  stranded 
and  apparently  deserted. 

The  signs  of  habitation  were  now  more  numerous 
than  they  had  been  during  the  two  previous  days,  and 
our  party  no  longer  traveled  at  night,  but  stopped, 
sometimes  on  the  bank,  where  they  made  fires  and  slept 
in  their  blankets  on  the  ground ;  but  more  frequently 
did  they  land  at  the  houses  of  the  planters,  by  whom 
they  were  invariably  received  and  treated  with  the 
warm  hospitality  so  characteristic  of  Southerners. 

Their  hosts  were. indeed  only  too  glad  to  see  any 
one  who  came  from  the  scenes  of  conflict,  and  who 
could  give  them  information  as  to  the  condition  of 
affairs. 

To  show  the  meagreness  of  communication  in  the 
South  at  this  time,  let  it  suffice  to  say  that  not  one  of 


THE     EARL    OF     MAYFIELD.  37 

these  gentlemen,  many  of  whom  were  men  of  culture, 
had  heard  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  an  event  now  two 
weeks  old.  Of  the  fall  of  New  Orleans  they  were  of 
necessity  aware,  by  reason  of  information  received  from 
passing  boats. 

Thus  did  the  voyage  progress  without  accident  or 
incident  to  relieve  the  monotony,  and  which,  now  that 
the  novelty  had  worn  off,  began  to  grow  tedious,  not 
only  to  the  travelers,  but  we  fear  to  the  reader  as  well, 
until  they  got  some  miles  below  Napoleon,  a  town  on  the 
Arkansas  side  of  the  river.  The  twilight  was  rapidly 
fading  into  darkness,  the  sky  was  overcast,  dark  clouds 
drifted  rapidly  overhead,  and  the  distant  rumblings  of 
thunder,  accompanied  by  increasing  flashes  of  lightning, 
warned  them  that  it  was  time  to  look  for  shelter. 
Seeing  no  signs  of  habitation.  Creel,  who  was  on  duty 
as  look-out,  had  brought  the  boat  rather  close  to  the 
Arkansas  shore  and  suggested  that  they  run  in  to  the 
bank  for  the  night ;  for  he  thought  it  more  prudent  to 
get  a  drenching  from  the  rapidly  approachijig  storm 
than  to  risk  the  danger  of  being  swamped  in  the  waves 
or  of  injuring  the  boat  against  the  drift  logs.  Sebas- 
tian, however,  thought  he  had  caught  the  glimmer  of  a 
light  not  far  below.  They  therefore  concluded  to  make 
for  it. 

It  now  began  to  rain  heavily,  the  waves  at  the  same 
time  rising  tumultuously,  joined  to  which  were  the  in- 
cessant peals  of  thunder  and  such  vivid  lightning  that 
Creel  lost  his  presence  of  mind.  For  a  few  moments 
they  were  in  imminent  peril,  for  the  boat  struck  either 
the  bank  or  a  great  log.     Nothing  could  be  ascertained 


38  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

in  the  darkness  and  confusion.  The  boat  swung  out 
into  the  stream  with  violence,  shipping,  at  the  same 
time,  a  quantity  of  water,  which  they  baled  out  with 
their  military  caps  as  well  as  they  could.  Meanwhile, 
Carew  had  assumed  Creel's  former  post  as  steersman, 
calling  at  the  same  time  to  the  others  to  take  their 
oars,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  the  boat's  head  to  the 
waves  to  prevent  it  from  swamping. 

It  was  fortunate  that  this  course  was  adopted  so 
promptly,  for  it  gave  them  control  of  the  boat.  At  this 
instant,  Sebastian  called  out,  in  a  terror-stricken  voice : 

"Master!  master!  we  are  going  down  a  crevasse! 
The  boat  is  flying !  " 

This  was  confirmed  by  Creel  and  also  by  the  oscil- 
lating movement  of  the  boat,  now  going  at  a  rate 
of  speed  which  was  being  momentarily  increased, 
as  Carew  could  easily  judge  from  the  rapidity  with 
which  they  approached  the  trees,  revealed  in  grand  and 
gloomy  splendor  by  the  brilliant  lightning.  There  was 
now  no  help  for  it.  They  were  evidently  too  far  within 
the  influence  of  the  powerful  suction,  caused  by  the 
fall  of  water  through  the  break  in  the  embankment. 
Besides  this,  the  boat's  prow  was  turned  directly  in  the 
course  they  were  running,  and  it  would  have  been  mad- 
ness to  attempt  to  put  about.  Even  could  this  have 
been  accomplished,  their  united  efforts  at  the  oars 
would  have  availed  nothing  against  the  tremendous 
velocity  wliich  the  current  now  assumed. 

All  these  events  occurred  in  less  time  than  is  required 
for  the  relation. 

Carew's  spirit  rose  with  the  emergency.    Retaining  his 


THE     EARL     O  F     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  39 

position  with  an  oar  at  the  stern,  he  shouted  to  Creel  at 
the  top  of  his  voice — he  could  scarcely  be  heard  amid 
the  din  of  waves,  rain  and  thunder  —  to  station  himself 
at  the  bow,  with  a  pole,  for  the  purpose  of  warding  off 
such  obstructions  as  he  could.  He  ordered  Sebastian 
to  remain  at  the  oars,  depressing  the  handles,  in  order 
that  the  blades  might  be  kept  clear  of  the  water,  in 
such  manner  that  at  a  pressure  of  his  (Carew's)  hand 
on  one  foot  or  the  other  the  boy  might  pull  on  the  side 
indicated  with  all  his  strength.  Thus,  placed  as  favor- 
ably as  possible  under  the  circumstances,  did  the  hapless 
Wanderer  take  its  first  plunge  down  the  boiling  rapids, 
now  as  white  as  snow. 

The  bow  went  under,  sweeping  Creel  from  his  posi- 
tion :  but  for  an  instant,  however.  The  brave  fellow, 
realizing  the  emergency,  staggered  back  to  his  post  and 
fought  desperately,  pushing  —  now  on  this  side,  now  on 
that  —  with  his  pole  against  the  huge  trees  and  drift 
which  was  being  swept  along  in  their  company.  The 
others  seconded  him  with  superhuman  efforts,  appalled 
though  they  were  by  the  terrors  of  the  situation,  and 
which  were  only  partially,  at  intervals,  revealed  by  the 
lightning.  The  crash  of  great  logs  and  sometimes 
entire  trees,  as  they  whirled  about  and  ground  against 
each  other  in  their  passage,  silenced  even  the  thunder. 

Escape  from  total  annihilation  seemed  hopeless, 
and,  perhaps,  would  have  been  impossible,  but  for 
the  reason  that  the  boat  and  logs  were  all  moving  at 
about  the  same  speed.  Thus  the  danger  of  becoming 
crushed  between  the  trees  was  greater  than  that  of 
being  overtaken  and  borne  under.     Finally,  the  water 


40  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

became  smoother,  the  prospect  seemed  to  widen,  and 
Creel  shouted  from  the  bow  that  he  saw  a  light  — 
doubtless  that  which  Sebastian  had  seen. 

Carew  directed  Creel  to  attempt  to  get  some  of 
the  water  out  of  the  boat,  which  was  nearly  half  full, 
and  rolled  in  an  unwieldy  and  suspicious  .manner, 
while  he  made  Sebastian  pull  at  the  oars;  himself 
altering  their  course  towards  the  light. 

Creel  announced  that  the  water  was  gaining,  though 
he  had  been  throwing  it  out  with  a  box,  which  he 
had  procured  by  emptying  some  provisions;  where- 
upon Carew,  who  saw  time  was  precious,  directed  him 
to  desist  and  join  Sebastian  with  the  remaining  set  of 
oars.  The  water  was  now  comparatively  smooth  and 
the  current  much  moderated.  The}^  therefore,  made 
fair  progress  in  the  direction  of  the  light,  now  hard  by. 
As  they  arrived  within  thirty  or  fort}^  yards  of  it  the 
boat  showed  signs  of  sinking.  Creel  at  this  instant 
dropped  his  oars,  seized  the  painter,  and  sprang  for  the 
bank.  Lightened,  as  it  was,  so  suddenly  of  his  weight 
at  the  bow,  it  sank  downwards  at  the  after  part.  The 
water,  of  which  it  was  now  nearly  full,  surging  in  the 
same  direction,  carried  the  stern,  with  Carew,  under; 
and  the  unfortunate  Wanderer  came  to  a  silent  stop 
in  about  three  feet  of  water.  Creel  had  clung  to  the 
rope,  which  prevented  the  boat  from  surging  back  into 
the  stream  and  being  lost  in  the  darkness  ;  while  Carew 
and  his  man  scrambled  up  to  land  as  best  they  might. 

Their  shouts  and  struggles  had,  before  this,  attracted 
the  attention  of  persons  about  the  light,  several  of 
whom    now   came    running   along   the    bank   with   a 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 


41 


lantern.     These   proved   to   be   woodsmen,  who  were 
conveying  a  large  raft  of  cypress  logs  down  the  river. 

They  rendered  all  necessary  assistance  to  our  ex- 
hausted and  woe-begone  party,  without  which  it  is 
difficult  to  surmise  what  would  have  become  of  them. 
They  were  at  once  taken  on  the  raft,  in  the  middle  of 
which  was  a  large  shed  or  hut.  On  one  side  was  a 
huge  fire,  built  on  a  foundation  of  bricks  and  clay,  to 
prevent  it  from  coming  in  contact  with  the  timber. 

After  thanking  these  rough,  but  kind-hearted  men, 
drying  their  clothes  as  well  as  they  could  by  the  fire 
and  eating  something,  all  three  laid  themselves  on 
the  hard  boards  of  the  hut,  master  and  man  together, 
and  were  soon  buried  in  profound  slumber.  The  rafts- 
men having  previously  pulled  the  Wanderer,  with  her 
dripping  contents  upon  the  bank,  promising  to  render 
in  the  morning,  what  assistance  they  could  in  the  way 
of  repairs  which  might  be  needed. 


42  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER   III. 

THROUGH    FIRE     UNTO    DEATH. 

IN  the  morning  Carew  found  himself  so  stiff  and  sore 
from  exposure,  fatigue,  and  the  confined  position 
he  had  been  compelled  to  occupy  during  the  past  few 
days,  that  he  was  unable  to  rise.  Creel  and  Sebastian 
were,  however,  alert  enough  to  attend  to  all  needful 
preparations  for  a  continuance  of  the  voyage.  They 
now  discovered  from  the  captain  of  the  raft — for  even 
so  humble  a  craft  has  a  captain  —  that  they  had  not 
gone  through  a  crevasse,  as  they  supposed,  but  through 
a  "  cut  off,"  which  the  river  had  recently  made  for  its 
passage  across  a  neck,  or,  more  properly,  an  isthmus, 
which  did  not  exceed  half  a  mile  in  width.  By  this 
involuntary  performance  they  had  shortened  their  voy- 
age by  no  less  than  eighteen  miles ;  the  main  channel, 
or  body  of  the  river,  continuing  for  that  distance  in  its 
course,  resembling  in  its  outline,  somewhat,  the  shape 
of  a  champagne  bottle ;  the}^  havijig  crossed  its  neck. 

At  this  comparison,  made  by  Carew,  Creel  inter- 
jected :  "  Though  I  am  very  fond  of  champagne,  I 
prefer  it  from  a  smaller  bottle  —  and  less  diluted." 

Sebastian's  cheek  was  of  an  ashy  hue,  after  he 
walked  up  the  bank  to  where  the  "cut  off"  joined  the 
river  again,  and  saw  what  a  narrow  escape  they  had 
experienced.  "  Good  Lord  !  "  said  he,  "  won't  that  be 
a  story  to  tell  Sallie  I  De  boys  will  have  to  stan*  back 
after  I  gits  home  !  " 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  43 

Carew,  who  was  something  of  a  fatalist,  said  nothing ; 
he  probably  thought,  that  as  everything  had  ended 
well,  it  was  all  right. 

The  poor  Wanderer  was  in  the  worst  plight  of  all. 
One  pair  of  oars  had  floated  off;  all  but  two  of  the 
seats  had  disappeared,  and  several  seams  were  opened, 
which  caused  it  to  leak  badly ;  about  half  of  the  pro- 
visions were  destroyed  by  the  water ;  the  remaining 
portion,  being  in  cans  and  bottles,  were  safe.  This  loss 
was  now,  however,  of  small  consequence,  as  they  were 
only  about  a  day's  journey  from  Vicksburg,  where  a 
fresh  supply  could  be  obtained.  As  for  their  boat,  the 
raftsmen  kindly  invited  the  party  to  float  down  the 
river  with  them  as  far  as  they  chose,  and  in  the  mean- 
time, they  would  repair  the  Wanderer  thoroughly,  by 
pulling  it  upon  the  raft  and  re-caulking  the  damaged 
seams. 

This  proposition  was  gladly  accepted,  and  was  all 
the  more  grateful  to  Carew,  who  could  now  lie  at  full 
length  and  recruit.  Thus  w^as  this  day  spent,  float- 
ing slowly  with  the  stream,  the  men  in  charge  of  the 
raft  being  fully  occupied  in  constantly  working  at  one 
or  both  of  the  immense  sweeps,  or  oars,  of  the  un- 
wieldy craft,  in  order  that  it  might  be  kept  clear  of  the 
crevasses,  and  also  prevented  from  striking  the  banks 
—  on  one  side  or  the  other  —  toward  which  it  perpetu- 
ally inclined.  As  long  as  the  river  maintained  its 
crooked  course,  this  eccentric  conduct  seemed  reasona- 
ble enough ;  but  now.  and  then,  when  the}^  were  in  a 
reach  of  water  which  was  comparatively  straight,  Carew 
remarked  that  the  men  still  kept,  tliough  at  longer 
intervals  and  with  less  exertion,  at  the  sweeps. 


44  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

He  finally  inquired  of  the  captain,  with  whom  he 
had  been  maintaining  a  desultory  conversation,  for  an 
exj^lanation  of  this  phenomenon,  to  which  question  the 
response  was  made,  that  ''  The  river,  at  this  stage,  or 
when  it  was  rising,  was  higher  in  the  middle  than  at 
the  sides ;  consequently  the  raft  would  naturally  slide 
down  to  one  side  or  the  other." 

"  What  is  the  cause  of  this ? "  said  Carew,  ''assuming 
it  to  be  as  you  say  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,"  answered  the  captain,  "  unless  it  is 
because  of  the  rolling  of  the  water  against  the  banks, 
which  shoves  it  there.  When  the  river  is  falling,"  con- 
tinued he,  "  'tis  lower  in  the  middle,  and  the  raft  would 
then  float  down  without  much  trouble." 

"  If  your  statement  is  correct,"  said  Carew,  "  why 
would  not  the  cm-rent  operate  in  the  same  way  with 
my  small  boat,  as  3^ou  say  it  does  with  your  large  raft  ? 
I  did  not  observe  that  we  had  to  do  much  rowing  to 
keep  ourselves  out  in  the  stream ;  and  we  have  now 
traveled  nearly  four  hundred  miles !  " 

"  A  few  miles  above  this  point,"  replied  the  captain, 
"  the  river  begins  to  narrow  and  grow  deeper  ;  the 
islands  are  also  less  numerous,  consequently,  its  current 
is  more  confined,  and  the  effects  are  produced  which 
you  see." 

"  I  infer,  then,"  said  Carew,  "  that  the  velocity  of 
the  current  must  be  greater,  from  this  point  of  which 
you  have  just  spoken,  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  ?  " 

"  You  are  right.  From  about  one  hundred  miles 
below  Cairo,  where  it  begins  to  lose  the  force  tempora- 
rily given  by  the.  additional  volume  of  the  Ohio,  to  a 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  45 

point  about  fifty  miles  above  our  present  position,  the 
current  runs  at  the  rate  of  about  three  miles  an  hour ; 
whereas,  from  here  down,  it  is  fully  half  a  mile  an 
hour  faster." 

"  Ah ! "  said  Carew,  "  we  must  always  be  learning 
something !  I  should  never  have  made  these  observa- 
tions myself.  I  am  obliged  to  you,  Captain,  and  am 
convinced  that  you  are  right." 

"  There  is  nothing  new  about  it,  sir.  Any  boatman 
who  has  traveled  the  length  of  the  river,  as  I  have 
many  times,  will  tell  you  the  same  thing." 

Thus,  and  with  many  other  interesting  phenomena 
of  the  great  river,  did  the  captain  beguile  the  day. 
When  night  began  to  set  in,  they  put  out  a  huge  cable, 
by  means  of  a  row  boat,  to  the  nearest  large  tree,  made 
it  fast,  and,  as  the  raft  felt  its  tightening  influence,  it 
gradually  and  slowly  SAVung  around  the  arc  of  a  circle, 
until  it  rested  quietly  against  the  bank ;  then  two  or 
three  smaller  ropes  were  put  out,  to  keep  it  in  position 
for  the  night,  when  all  retired  to  rest,  keeping  one  man 
on  watch,  to  replenish  the  fire,  as  a  warning  to  other 
craft. 

•Bright  and  early  on  the  following  morning,  did  our 
little  party  arise,  fully  refreshed,  restored,  and  ready 
for  work,  feeling  anxious  to  pursue  their  voyage,  and 
knowing  that  they  would  make  much  greater  progress 
down  the  stream  with  their  light  boat  than  the  raft 
could.  They  parted  with  their  new-made,  but  kind, 
friends,  having  first  shared  with  them  the  choicest  por- 
tion of  their  remaining  provisions;  much,  however, 
against  the  will  of  the  honest  captain,  who,  on  shaking 


46  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

hands,  informed  them  that  they  were  only  about  fifty 
miles  from  Vicksburg,  and  a  hard  daj's  work  at  the 
oars  would  enable  them  to  reach  that  point  in  time  for 
supper. 

At  nightfall,  they  found  themselves  still,  by  running 
close  in  shore  and  hailing  a  fisherman,  twelve  miles 
from  their  stopping-place.  Sebastian  and  Creel  then 
exercised  themselves  vigorously  in  turns,  at  the  only 
remaining  set  of  oars,  with  Carew  at  the- helm. 

At  nine  o'clock,  as  they  rounded  a  deep  point,  the 
lights  of  the  town  glimmered  in  the  distance!  Our 
weary  travelers  thought  they  had  never  beheld  a  more 
beautiful  spectacle.  It  was  truly  a  fine  prospect ;  for 
Vicksburg  is  built  on  a  series  of  high  bluffs,  which 
slope  rapidly  down  to  the  water's  edge,  —  sweeping 
around  the  base  of  a  horse-shoe  shaped  bend,  and  form- 
ing an  immense  amphitheatre,  covered  with  tier  upon 
tier  of  buildings,  which,  when  lighted  up,  as  they  were 
at  this  early  hour,  presented  a  view  not  to  be  despised 
by  more  ambitious  towns. 

A  few  energetic  strokes,  given  with  a  will  and  a 
hurrah  from  Creel,  whose  spirits  never  flagged,  now 
brought  them  to  the  wharf-boat,  whence,  after  leaving 
the  Wanderer  in  charge  of  the  watchman  on  dut}',  they 
all  repaired  to  the  Washington  Hotel,  and,  after  a  bath 
and  a  tolerable  supper,  wliich  Carew,  however,  pro- 
nounced superior  to  anything  he  had  ever  eaten  at 
Delmonico's,  they  went  to  comfortable  rooms,  and  soon 
slept  the  sleep  of  the  just. 

Sebastian  was  taken  care  of  b}"  the  colored  waiters, 
to   some  of  whom   he   had  related  a  portion  of  their 


THE     EARL    OP    MAYFIELD.  47 

adventures,  not  omitting  to  take  an  important  part  for 
himself;  thereby  becoming  in  the  eyes  of  his  hearers, 
something  of  a  hero. 

We  have  frequently  remarked,  that  there  must  exist 
a  species  of  Free  Masonry  among  the  negroes  of  the 
South ;  let  them  meet  where  you  will,  under  whatsoever 
circumstances,  and  they  at  once  seem  to  recognize,  and 
affiliate  with  each  other. 

Having  overslept  their  usual  hour,  Carew  and  Creel 
arose  late,  and  while  at  breakfast,  it  occurred  to 
them,  that  possibly  a  steamer  might  be  on  the  point 
of  departure  for  some  place  lower  down  the  river; 
in  which  event  they  could  save  time,  as  well  as 
some  miles  of  weary  travel.  Therefore  they  deter- 
mined upon  remaining,  for  that  day  at  least,  in  Vicks- 
burg.  On  inquiry  however,  they  saw  this  was  a  futile 
hope ;  the  town  was  paralyzed.  No  movement  was 
perceptible  on  the  streets.  Many  of  the  shops  and 
houses  were  closed,  and  small  groups  of  men  were 
standing  about,  conversing  in  subdued  tones,  and  glanc- 
ing suspiciously  on  all  strangers.  Getting  no  satisfac- 
tion at  the  hotel,  the  friends  walked  down  to  the  wharf- 
boat,  and  finding  their  own  craft  secure,  went  on  board 
of  the  former,  where  Creel  soon  found  some  acquaint- 
ances; for  he  was  now  within  fifty  or  sixty  miles  of 
home,  and  had  been  a  frequent  visitor  to  Vicksburg. 
These  friends  gave  him  what  information  they  could ;  it 
was  however,  very  meagre  and -unsavory ;  everything 
was  at  a  standstill.  The  opinion  was  almost  unani- 
mously expressed  that  the  war  was  nearing  its  end. 
The  Yankees  were  reported,  as  moving  up  from  New 


48  THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

Orleans  with  a  fleet,  accompanied  by  a  large  army ! 
The  whole  river  was  in  a  defenceless  condition.  There 
was  not  a  vestige  of  fortifications,  of  even  the  most 
humble  character,  all  the  way  from  Fort  Pillow,  above 
Memphis,  to  New  Orleans.  The  Confederate  Govern- 
ment having  relied  wholly  on  tlie  forts  below  the  latter 
city,  and  on  one  iron-clad, —  which  was  destroyed  at  the 
first  encounter  with  the  Yankee  fleet. 

Poor  Creel,  an  enthusiastic  adherent  of  the  South, 
was  immensely  disgusted  at  these  evil  tidings;  so 
much  so,  that  he  was  for  leaving  the  "  cowardly 
town,"  as  he  termed  it,  on  the  instant. 

Carew  however,  was  secretly  pleased.  Matters  were 
progressing  as  favorably  as  his  most  sanguine  hopes 
could  have  anticipated.  He  earnestly  desired  a  speedy 
termination  of  the  cruel  conflict ;  feeling  assured  there 
could  be  but  one  result,  and  that,  the  complete  defeat 
of  the  Confederacy ;  the  sooner  it  was  achieved  there- 
fore the  better  !  Finding  he  could  get  but  cold  comfort. 
Creel  returned,  accompanied  by  CarcAv, —  who  wished 
to  make  some  notes  on  what  he  had  seen  and  heard  — 
to  the  hotel.  The  former  went  sulkily  to  bed,  vowing 
he  would  get  some  pleasure  in  that  quarter  at  all 
events. 

They  arose  leisurely  in  the  morning,  as  they  had 
to  travel  only  forty  miles  to  Creel's  landing  place ; 
after  breakfast,  Sebastian  having  purchased  what  they 
might  need  for  the  remainder  of  the  voyage  on  the 
previous  day,  and  having  settled  the  hotel  bill,  —  a 
fabulous  sum  in  Confederate  money  —  they  proceeded 
to  the  boat,  where  Sebastian,  having  gone  before, 
awaited  them. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  49 

Without  incident,  they  arrived  late  in  the  afternoon 
at  the  point  where  Creel  was  to  disembark,  and  take  a 
stage  for  his  father's  plantation,  about  twenty  miles  in 
the  interior,  among  the  hills  of  Mississippi.  The  gay 
young  fellow  was  blitlie  enough  in  the  morning,  and 
for  some  hours  on  the  way ;  but  as  he  neared  his  des- 
tination and  realized  that  he  was  to  part,  perhaps  hi 
those  dark  times,  forever,  from  the  companions  of  his 
journey —  for  he  looked  upon  the  faitliful  slave  also  as  a 
friend  — his  spirits  gradually  gave  way,  until  at  last,  he 
became  even  more  silent  than  Carew,  who,  sufficiently 
taciturn  at  all  times,  was  now  less  communicative  than 
ever,  being  also  under  the  influence  of  sad  emotions. 

Let  us  hasten,  to  spare  the  reader  harrowing  reflec- 
tions, to  the  landing  whence  Creel  might  have  departed 
within  an  hour  for  home,  but  was  determined  upon 
staying  with  his  friends  to  the  last.  Indeed,  lie  went  so 
far  as  to  urge  upon  Carew  the  propriety  of  continuing 
with  him  to  the  end  of  the  voyage,  alleging  that  he 
could  now  easily  send  a  note  to  his  father,  in  order  that 
he  might  be  under  no  apprehensions  concerning  him. 
But  this  Carew  would  by  no  means  allow ;  he  pointed 
out  the  difficulty  and  danger  of  returning,  the  shortness 
of  his  (Creel's)  furlough,  now  nearly  exhausted  by  their 
protracted  voyage,  and  the  ease  with  which  himself  and 
his  man  could  accomplish  the  remainder  of  the  jour- 
ney, now  more  than  half— and  the  most  dangerous  half, 
completed ;  besides  he  intended  stopping  for  a  day  or 
two  with  some  dear  friends,  about  two  hundred  miles 
further  down,  and  who  wouLl  render  him,  if  required, 
all  needful  assistance. 
3 


50  THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

These  arguments  finally  prevailed,  and  Creel  sorroAV- 
fiilly  acquiesced.  They  passed  the  night  together  in  a 
small  tavern,  kept  by  the  stage  line  at  this  point,  and 
after  breakfast  came  the  parting,  when,  all  three  fairly 
broke  down;  after  repeated  hand-shakings  and  futile 
attempts  at  separation,  Creel's  stage  was  announced 
as  being  ready  for  departure.  Carew  having  Avarmly 
pressed  the  poor  fellow,  if  he  were  ever  in  need,  to  call 
upon  hini  freely  and  proffering  a  home  in  such  event, 
stepped  into  the  boat,  and  Sebastian  at  once  pushed  off 
into  the  stream.  Creel,  standing  on  the  bank,  w^aved  his 
cap  and  gave  them  three  cheers,  in  which  the  men  around 
joined.  These  were  responded  to  heartily  by  the  occu- 
pants of  the  Wanderer  as  she  drifted  down  the  river; 
which  might  have  been  on  this  occasion  fitly  termed 
the  stream  of  eternity,  for  never  did  these  men  meet 
again. 

Poor  Creel !  about  two  years  after  this  period,  Carew 
received  a  letter  from  his  father,  informing  him  that,  in 
accordance  with  the  last  wishes  of  his  son,  he  wrote, 
stating  that  his  boy  had  fallen  in  one  of  the  assaults 
upon  Petersburg,  in  Virginia. 

He  was  mortally  wounded  while  standing  on  a  gun 
cheering  on  his  men,  who  had  fallen  back,  to  renewed 
efforts.  He  lived  but  a  few  diija  after  the  father 
reached  him,  and  during  these  days,  often  spoke  affec- 
tionately of  Carew ;  expressing  among  his  last  words  a 
fervent  hope  that  he  might  meet  his  friend  in  a  better 
world. 

The  old  gentleman  went  on  to  say,  that  his  son  had, 
only  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  been  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Captain  for  gallant  conduct. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYPIELD.  51 


CHAPTER    IV. 
FRIENDS     OR     LOVERS? 

rj^HE  Wanderer  sped  on  its  way  down  the  river  with 
X  the  now  diminished  crew — who  met  with  nothing 
worth  mentioning  in  this  story,  other  than  the  addi- 
tional labor,  now  thrown  on  two,  instead  of  three 
persons ;  this  was  also  increased  by  reason  of  the  some- 
what greater  velocity  of  the  current  from  this  point 
down.  It  required  almost  constant  work  at  the  oars  to 
keep  the  boat  well  out  in  the  stream.  Carew  was  thus 
thoroughly  convinced  of  the  accuracy  of  the  observa- 
tions made  by  the  worthy  captain  of  the  raft. 

About  two  hours  after  they  were  well  on  their  way, 
on  the  third  morning  since  the  parting  with  Creel, 
Carew,  who  was  steering,  espied  in  the  distance,  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  river,  a  tall  chimney  which  he  at 
once  recognized  as  being  attached  to  a  sugar  house. 
This  began  to  look  like  home,  for  from  this  point  to 
the  mouth  of  the  river  —  nearly  three  hundred  miles 
—  extended,  and  still  extends,  the  sugar  district  of 
Louisiana. 

Carew  ordered  his  man  to  draw  in  the  oars  for  a 
time,  and  altered  the  boat's  course  so  as  to  bring 
Sebastian's  e3^e  in  a  line  with  the"  prospect  ahead.  He 
soon  caught  sight  of  the  chimney,  when  throwing  up 
his  hands *in  a  transport  of  joy,  he  cried: 

"  Bless  de  Lord  !  " 


52  THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D  . 

In  common  with  most  of  his  race,  Sebastian  was 
inclined  to  piety,  and  had  a  strong  attachment  for 
home. 

"  Bless  de  Lord,  master,  there  is  a  sugar  house  I  I 
never  thought,  when  we  was  in  the  army,  that  I  would 
see  one  agin.     How  far  is  it  to  home,  sir?" 

"  I  do  not  think,"  replied  the  master,  "  that  it  can  be 
more  than  a  hundred  and  eighty  miles.  Doctor  Stuart's 
residence  is  now  only  about  twenty-five  miles  from  us. 
We  will  stop  there  for  a  day  or  two." 

As  the  sun  neared  the  horizon,  they  came  in  sight  of 
"  Woodbourne," — a  sugar  estate  owned  by  Dr.  Stuart 
—  a  Scotchman  of  good  family,  who  had  amassed  during 
a  long  course  of  practice  in  a  northern  city  a  moderate 
fortune;  then,  on  the  death  of  his  wife,  being  rather 
old  and  in  feeble  health,  he  concluded  to  go  South  with 
his  only  child,  an  infant  daughter. 

Mr.  Carew,  our  hero's  father,  who  had  met  Dr.  Stuart 
in  the  North,  spoke  frequently  and  highly  of  the  mild 
climate  of  Louisiana  to  the  ph3'sician ;  who,  having  no 
other  acquaintance  in  the  South,  and  not  caring  partic- 
ularly what  spot  he  selected  had,  tln'ough  an  agent, 
purchased  "  Woodbourne."  Tlie  investment  proved  a 
good  one,  financiall}'  as  well  as  physically — for  the  child 
as  well  as  for  the  father.  The  latter  soon  recovered  a 
portion  of  liis  lost  health,  and  often  thanked  ]\Ir.  Carew 
for,  as  he  said,  prolonging  his  life  twenty  jears. 

Thus  did  the  two  families  during  a  period  of  eleven 
years  —  for  so  long  had  Dr.  Stuart  been  an  inhabitant 
of  Woodbourne  —  improve  and  ripen  a  slight  acquaint- 
ance  into   the  warmest  ties  which   can   be  knit   here 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  53 

below  by  continual  intercourse  —  in  spite  of  the  dis- 
tance which  separated  them  —  and  the  sympathy  of 
cultured  and  congenial  tastes. 

On  learning  of  the  untimely  and  sudden  death  from 
pneumonia,  of  his  friend,  the  good  Doctor  at  once 
went  down  to  Court  Lodge — Mr.  Carew's  estate — and 
begged  that  he  might  have  the  privilege  of  taking  our 
hero  to  visit  his  daughter  —  knowing  the  extreme  fond- 
ness they  had  from  the  beginning  exhibited  for  each 
other.  Indeed,  tlie  two  fathers  often  laughingly 
suggested  to  each  other  the  propriety  of  betrothing 
the  miniature  couple. 

The  Doctor's  proposal  was  gladly  accepted  by  the 
boy's  grandfather,  who  felt  he  could  not  be  in  safer 
hands,  and  that  a  change  of  scene  might  be  beneficial. 
During  a  stay  of  three  months  at  Woodbourne,  the 
warm  sympathy  and  sweet  temper  of  the  girl,  who  was 
only  a  trifle  younger  than  himself,  made  a  strong 
impression  on  the  boy  and  materially  strengthened  the 
bond  which  already  existed  between  them.  At  the 
termination  of  this  visit,  Carew  was  sent  to  college  in 
the  North,  where  he  remained  five  years;  thence, 
without  being  allowed  to  return  home  —  for  his  grand- 
father was  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  believed  in  no 
sentimental  — -  as  he  called  it  —  waste  of  time,  he 
went  to  Europe,  where  he  remained  tAVO  years,  when 
he  was  suddenly  called  home  on  account  of  the  ill 
health  of  the  old  gentleman,  who,  now  in  his  sixty- 
eighth  year,  felt  that  his  days  were  numbered  and 
wished  to  have  the  boy,  whom  he  ardently  loved,  with 
him  to  the  end. 


54  THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

He  then,  to  cut  this  portion  of  our  story  short,  had 
Carew  emancipated — as  we  have  stated  in  the  first 
chapter  —  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  put  into  full 
possession  of  his  ample  fortune.  Under  the  circum- 
stances, it  was  the  wisest  course  which  could  have 
been  adopted,  as  Mr.  Hardy — such  was  the  old  gentle- 
man's name  —  died  within  the  year  after  this  had  been 
accomplished. 

All  these  occupations  and  events  prevented  our  hero 
from  again  meeting  the  girl. 

After  this  unavoidable  retrospection,  we  again  take 
up  our  narrative. 

With  the  twilight  the  Wanderer  approached  the  land- 
ing at  Woodbourne,  facing  the  house.  Carew  left  his 
man  with  the  boat  until  he  could  send  out  a  relief,  and 
opening  the  smaller  of  two  gates,  walked  slowly  and 
stiffly  up  the  long  winding  avenue  of  superb  live  oaks 
to  the  residence,  in  which  a  few  lights  were  already 
visible. 

"How  familiar,  and  how  like,"  thought  he,  "is  every 
object;  even  the  sheep,  grazing  on  the  smooth  lawn, 
and  the  lowing  of  the  cows,  are  sights  and  sounds  most 
welcome  to  my  weary  soul !  And  she  !  Will  I  find  her 
at  home?  How  changed  and,  doubtless,  improved 
during  these  long  years !  Can  she  remember  her  old 
playmate  ?  " 

With  a  choking  sensation  about  the  throat,  and  a 
throbbing  heart,  he  ascended  the  low  steps  and  reached 
the  immensely  wide  and  long  gallery  which  surrounded 
the  house  on  all  sides.  His  steps  appeared  to  startle 
some  one  not  far  distant,  for  in  those  dreadful  days  the 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  55 

nerves  were  easily  shaken;  the  soft  springy  tread  of 
a  female  came  rapidly  along  the  dark  gallery,  and  a 
sweet,  low  and  somewhat  tremulons  voice,  asked  what 
the  visitor  desired. 

Carew's  heart  warned  him  instinctively  that  he  was 
in  the  presence  of  the  object  of  his  thoughts.  Sup- 
pressing his  emotions,  he  asked,  as  calmly  as  he  could, 
for  Doctor  Stuart. 

"  My  father,"  replied  the  lady,  "  is  not  in  very  good 
health,  and  would  prefer  not  being  disturbed  this  even- 
ing; if,  sir,  you  will  communicate  the  object  of  your 
visit  to  me,  it  will  perhaps  answer  the  same  purpose." 

"What  a  sweet  voice,"  murmured  Carew;  "the  solic- 
xtude  she  evinces  for  her  father's  comfort  is  proof 
enough  of  an  amiable  disposition  ;  if  her  face  and  form 
confirm  the  promise  of  my  ears,  she  must  be  all  that  I 
could  have  anticipated.  Shall  I  reveal  myself  ?  but  no, 
I  will  wait  and  see  whether  she  recognizes  me ! " 

"I  did  not  catch  your  reply,  sir,"  said  the  young 
lady,  whose  anxious  ear  had  seized  the  muttered 
sounds. 

"I  spoke  not,  madam,"  answered  Carew;  "you  need 
be  under  no  apprehension.  Your  father  is  an  old  and 
dear  friend,  whom  I  have  not  seen  for  years.  I  am 
traveling  down  the  river  with  my  servant,  and  simply 
wish  to  renew  an  old  friendship,  and  beg  a  night's 
lodging." 

"  Take  a  seat,  sir,  I  will  consult  my  father !  What 
name  shall  I  give  him?" 

While  thus  speaking  she  drew  forward  a  light  wicker 
chair  for  his  accommodation. 


56  THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

Carew  remembered  the  name  of  an  old  friend  of  the 
doctor,  who  resided  in  New  York,  and  replied,  "  I  am 
the  son  of  Mr.  Alden  Sampson." 

Her  mind  thus  apparently  relieved,  she  vanished  in 
the  darkness,  leaving  him  seated. 

In  a  few  moments  a  light  appeared  in  the  large  cen- 
tral hall,  which  ran  through  the  entire  depth  of  the 
house ;  a  servant  approached  the  supposed  Mr.  Samp- 
son, and  requested  him  to  enter. 

He  folloAved  the  man  into  a  small,  but  elegantly  fur- 
nished room,  wdiich  without  being  a  bed-room  —  as  the 
most  important  article  of  furniture  was  missing  —  had 
the  appearance  of  one ;  for,  in  addition  to  a  rich  carpet, 
handsome  pictures,  furniture  and  mirrors,  it  contained 
a  toilet  table,  wash-hand  stand,  and  other  evidences  of 
constant  occupation.  Our  hero  had  scarcely  time  for 
the  reflection,  that  the  doctor  must  be  almost,  if  not 
quite,  a  confirmed  invalid,  to  have  moved  down  stairs, 
when  he  found  himself  in  the  presence  of  the  old  gen- 
tleman, seated  in  an  eas}^  chair  by  a  fire  —  the  weather 
being  3'et  cool. 

"  Pardon  my  not  rising  to  welcome  the  son  of  my  old 
friend,  for,  as  you  will  perceive,  I  am  an  invalid;  but," 
pursued  he,  "  what  can  you  be  doing  in  the  South  ? 
My  dear  boy,  you  are  among  friends  now,  but  remem- 
ber also,  that  your  position  is  a  perilous  one ! " 

Without  reply,  Carew  stepped  forward  and  took  the 
old  Doctor's  hand,  thus  throwing  his  features  under 
the  full  blaze  of  the  solitary  lamp,  which  stood  on  the 
mantel.    • 

"  Oh,  father,"  cried  a  voice  familiar  and  sweet  in 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  57 

Carew's  ears,  "  this  cannot  be  the  person  he  has  repre- 
sented himself  as  being ;  see,  he  wears  the  uniform  of 
our  army !  Who  are  you,  sir  ? "  said  she,  with  inten- 
sity. 

The  Doctor  looked  through  his  glasses  at  Carew, 
and  said, 

"  You  are  right,  daughter ;  this  is  not  young  Samp- 
son, yet  the  face  is  familiar." 

Carew  smiled. 

Pressing  one  hand  to  her  bosom,  the  girl,  leaning 
forward  over  her  father's  chair  said,  in  a  suppressed  but 
startled  voice,  "  Can  it  be  possible  that  this  is  Thomas 
Carew?" 

Before  the  latter  could  answer,  the  doctor  raised 
himself  feebly,  seized  his  hand,  warmly  pressed  it,  and 
cried :  "  It  is  my  dear  Tom,  the  son  of  his  father,  his 
very  image,  though  so  emaciated  !  " 

"I  am,  indeed,"  answered  Carew,  giving  his  disen- 
gaged hand  to  the  lovely  girl,  who  came  at  once,  fear- 
lessly and  with  confidence  to  his  side. 

He  was  now  so  overwhelmed  with  questions,  from 
both  father  and  daughter,  that  it  would  be  impossible 
to  relate  everything  which  passed  between  them,  nor 
would  it  interest  the  reader;  we  shall,  therefore,  be 
content  wdth  stating  that  Carew  epitomized  his  career 
for  the  past  five  years,  and  wound  up  by  relating  his 
connection  with  the  Confederate  army,  his  discharge 
therefrom,  his  political  opinions  —  he  was  not  ashamed 
of  his  principles,  and  never  scrupled  to  speak  of  them 
when  among  friends  on  whom  he  could  rely,  as  in  this 
case  —  his  trip  down  the  river,  and  his  final  determina- 
tion to  go  to  New  Orleans. 


58  THEEARLOFMAYFIELD. 

His  hearers  listened  attentively,  and  while  the  old 
doctor  secretly  felt  there  was  much  truth,  which  he 
could  not  controvert,  in  the  opinions  advanced  by 
Carew ;  yet,  having  cast  himself  with  ardor  on  the 
Southern  side,  and  with  all  the  tenacity  of  his  Scottish 
blood,  he  would  not  give  up  while  the  faintest  ray  of 
hope  remained.  However,  he  loved  this  boy,  for  his 
ow^n  sake  as  well  as  his  father's,  and  could  not  help 
feeling  a  strong  respect  for  the  courage  which  prompted 
him,  and  the  sacrifice  of  social  position  which  he  would 
have  to  endure  in  the  cause  he  had  embraced.  Seeing 
it  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to  shake  a  position  so 
firmly  and  deliberately  assumed,  the  doctor  gave  up 
the  contest. 

Not  so  easily,  however,  did  Miss  Stuart  acquiesce  in 
the  views  of  our  hero ;  with  eager  earnestness  did  she 
oppose  him;  step  by  step  did  she  contest  the  ground; 
never  would  she  admit  for  a  moment  that  the  South 
was  in  the  wrong,  or  that  the  North  could  by  any  pos- 
sibility triumph  in  its  tyrannical  attempts  at  coercion. 
With  all  the  enthusiasm  of  an  earnest,  pure  soul,  filled 
with  sincere  conviction  of  the  justness  of  the  cause 
which  she  so  ardently  championed,  the  fair  girl  poured 
her  whole  soul  into  the  lists,  and  was  indeed  a  charming 
picture  when  roused,  as  she  now  was. 

Ordinarily,  however,  for  we  must  here  digress  a 
little,  Mary  Stuart  was  a  timid,  shy  girl,  who,  although 
she  had  traveled  much  with  her  father,  and  received 
an  accomplished  education,  had  spent  most  of  her 
young  life  in  the  quiet  seclusion  of  Woodbourne.  Her 
manners   were  quiet  and    dignified,  and   her  features 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  59 

wore  habitually  an  expression  of  calm,  serene  repose, 
except  when,  as  was  now  the  case,  she  was  under 
the  pressure  of  strong  emotions.  She  was,  indeed, 
much  embarrassed  by  the  peculiar  position  in  which 
she  found  herself  placed  towards  Carew.  Taught  by 
the  dictates  of  her  own  heart,  as  well  as  by  the  sen- 
timents and  example  of  her  father,  and  his  intimate 
friends,  she  had  learned  to  look  upon  Carew  as  her 
preiix  chevalier;  had  believed  him  to  be  her  dear 
brother,  in  place  of  those  whom  heaven  denied  her — 
though,  in  fact,  she  loved  him  with  a  far  deeper  love, 
but  did  not  yet  know  it  —  and  in  her  thoughts  had, 
with  the  romance  of  her  youth  and  sex,  marked  out  a 
brilliant  career  for  him ;  and,  in  the  not  distant  future 
— for  youth  is  ever  impatient — of  her  mental  vision, 
crowned  her  idol  with  laurels,  and  welcomed  him  home 
with  the  admiring  plaudits  of  the  people,  as  the  hero 
of  the  noAV  glorious,  triumphant,  and-to-endure-forever, 
new-born  nation ! 

Her  confusion  and  mortification  therefore,  on  learn- 
ing the  true  state  of  affairs,  can  be  more  readily  imag- 
ined than  described :  her  idol  was  thrown  to  the  ground 
and  demolished  at  one  blow. 

"It  would  have  been  bad  enough,"  thought  she,  "if 
he  had  stayed  quietly  at  home  through  the  war;  but, 
not  satisfied  with  keeping  out  of  the  army,  he  actually 
avows  himself  to  be  a  Yankee  in  principles !  It  is  too 
odious  to  be  endured ;  I  almost  hate  him ! "  she  contin- 
ued.    "  But  no,  I  cannot  do  that,  come  what  may !" 

Thus,  with  feelings  of  mutual  embarrassment  and 
averted  eyes,  did  the  young  friends  part  for  the  night. 


60  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

Under  the  pressure  of  strong  emotions,  the  loyal 
Southern  girl  could  scarcely  bring  herself  to  speak 
politely  to  Carew;  bidding  him  a  distant  good  night, 
she  vanished.  The  Doctor  had  retired  some  time 
before,  and  Carew  was  shown  to  his  room  by  a  servant. 

It  may  be  conceived  that  our  hero  did  not  pass  a  very 
comfortable  night,  even  though  surrounded  bj'  comforts 
and  luxuries  calculated  to  soothe  a  weary,  travel-stained 
wanderer  to  rest.  Still,  as  we  have  remarked  before, 
he  was  somewhat  inclined  to  fatalism,  and  this  idea: 
that  what  is  to  be,  will  be,  whether  right  or  wrong, 
frequently  buoyed  him  when  in  great  straits,  and  ena- 
bled him  to  bear  what  might  have  otherwise  crushed 
him. 

''  She  is  lost  to  me,"  thought  he.  "  Still,  what  else 
could  I  have  expected.  She  breathes  but  the  senti- 
ments of  all  Southern  women ;  they  are  unanimous  in 
opposition  to  the  North.  The  men  of  the  South  are 
far  less  fixed  in  their  views,  and  not  half  so  enthusiastic 
in  expressing  them.  This,"  he  continued,  as  he  lay 
awake,  "this  denouement  Avill  shorten  my  stay  here. 
I  cannot  well  leave  in  the  morning;  it  would  show 
pique  on  my  part,  but  the  next  day  I  will  be  off." 

While  thus  communing  with  himself,  and  overcome 
by  fatigue,  he  dropped  into  a  fitful,  dreamy  state. 
Visions  of  a  fair,  blue-eyed,  slender  maiden,  with  long 
coils  of  nut-brown  hair,  gracefully  twisted  about  her 
oval  face,  hovered  ever  near,  but  constantly  eluding  his 
grasp ;  her  eyes,  now  sad,  now  beseeching,  and  tearful, 
as  with  clasped  fingers  she  gazed  upon  him.  In  an 
instant  the  scene  changed,  and  the  same  dear  features 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  61 

appeared ;  but  oh !  so  altered  was  their  expression  that 
he  could  scarcely  believe  them  to  be  the  same,  so  cold, 
distant,  and  even  haughty  were  they. 

On  her  part,  fair  Mary  Stuart  retired  in  a  most 
agitated  state  of  mind.  Racked  between  the  extremes 
of  sorrow,  love  and  anger,  she  was  distracted,  throwing 
herself,  half  disrobed,  upon  the  bed,  giving  vent  to 
the  never  failing  resource — and  the  best  safety  valve 
of  nature  it  is  (what  a  pity  'tis  denied  to  man),  of 
woman  in  distress  —  a  flood  of  bitter  tears.  She  wept 
herself  into  a  scarcely  less  troubled  sleep  than  that 
which  tormented  Carew. 

When  our  hero  came  down  to  the  breakfast-room  on 
the  following  morning,  he  found  Miss  Stuart  already 
there,  though  it  was  yet  quite  early.  Traces  of  tears 
and  evidences  that  she  had  passed  a  disturbed  night, 
were  plainly  visible  upon  her  fair  features.  She  at 
once  came  to  meet  Carew,  and  holding  out  her  hand, 
with  the  charming  candor  of  her  nature,  said : 

"  Forgive  me ;  you  are  my  old  friend  and  playmate. 
I  was  hasty  in  judging  you  last  night,  and  should  have 
remembered  that  you  are  as  much  entitled  to  your 
opinions  as  I  to  mine.  Let  us  drop  the  present,  and 
think  only  of  the  happy  hours  we  spent  together  as 
children ! " 

"  Madam  I "  said  Carew,  still  rather  sore  from  the 
recollection  of  the  encounter  of  the  previous  evening, 
"Madam"  — 

"Nonsense,  Tom,"  quickly  interrupted  she,  "call 
me  as  you  have  always  done,  Mary;  and  now  do  let  us 
be  friends  once  more  ! " 


62  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

"  Agreed,  dear  Mary  I "  cried  he,  gayly,  all  vexation 
vanishing  like  a  summer's  cloud. 

With  a  sparkling  eye  and  glowing  cheek,  she  invited 
him  to  sit  opposite  at  the  breakfast  table,  apologizing 
for  her  father's  absence  on  the  score  of  debility. 

Rapidly  and  delightfully  did  the  hours  now  pass; 
he  reciting  many  events  in  his  European  experience, 
describing  strange  sights,  and  drawing  bright  and  glow- 
ing pictures  of  foreign  lands  and  peoples.  She,  listen- 
*ing  intently,  with  the  enthusiasm  of  a  pure  young  soul 
for  all  that  wa*s  beautiful  in  nature  and  in  art. 

Thus  did  the  day  pass,  and  in  the  evening,  when, 
with  the  doctor,  they  sat  around  the  fire  in  his  room, 
Carew  announced  his  intention  of  pursuing  his  voyage 
on  the  ensuing  morning,  it  was  pretty  to  watch  the 
changing  play  of  her  features,  as  his  words  fell  on  her 
ears  —  at  the  first,  pale  as  marble;  this  was  rapidly 
succeeded  by  deepest  carnation.  Added  to  these  fleet- 
ing colors  was  the  mobility  of  her  face;  one  moment 
expressing  a  faint  smile,  instantly  followed  by  a  shade 
of  vexation,  and  the  tremulous  movement  of  the  ripe, 
red  lips,  showing  a  tendency  to  tears. 

As  they  parted  in  the  hall,  whither  she  had  followed 
him  on  bidding  her  father  good  night,  she  said : 

"  You  are  unforgiving,  else  you  would  not  leave  us 
so  hastih\" 

"  Not  so,"  replied  he,  "  but  I  am  really  anxious  to 
get  home ;  nor  would  I  have  halted  at  all  on  the  way, 
but  I  could  not  pass  such  dear  friends,  after  so  many 
long  years  of  separation.  Believe  me,  Mary,  when  I 
say  that,  were  such  a  thing  possible,  I  could  gladly 
spend  the  remainder  of  my  lonely  life  at  Woo(ll)ourne  I " 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  G3 

"Nay,"  said  she,  "do  not  look  so  miserable  when 
you  speak  of  your  lonely  life !  you  are  young,  wealthy 
and  ambitious ;  yon  have  already  some  true  and  tried 
friends,  and  will  soon  win  more;  the  world  lies  before 
you,  go,  and  grasp  fame,  but  with  fame,  do  not  forget 
to  do  battle  for  the  right !  keep  a  clear  conscience  and 
a  pure  heart  before  God,  and  you  will  be  happy !  Good 
night " — 

She  vanished  up  the  stairs  before  Carew  could  utter 
a  word  in  reply ;  fortunately  perhaps  for  him,  poou 
fellow !  for  in  his  then  frame  of  mind,  astonished,  en- 
couraged, and  thrown  off  his  guard  as  he  was  by  her 
words  and  still  more  animated  manner,  he  might  have 
committed  himself  in  such  a  way  as  to  create  a  gap 
between  them.  For  he  was  fully  aware  of  the  impossi- 
bility of  winning  the  hand  of  this  bright  creature,  with- 
out having  previously  gained  her  heart;  "and  this,"  he 
sadly  reflected  as  he  went  to  bed,  "cannot  be  done 
while  the  present  enthusiasm  for  the  Southern  cause 
endures.  She  may  like  me  as  a  friend,  love  me  as  a 
brother,  but  as  a  lover,  no  ! " 

They  again  met  alone  for  breakfast  on  the  ensuing 
day,  but  neither  displayed  the  slightest  appetite,  nor 
was  there  much  attempt  at  conversation.  The  hearts 
of  the  youthful  pair  were  too  full,  and  too  sincere,  to 
indulge  in  an  affected  concealment  of  their  feelings. 
The  knowledge  that  in  such  times  of  war  and  distress, 
they  might  possibly  never  meet  again,  threw  a  shade  of 
sad,  yet  tender,  melancholy  over  everything. 

After  breakfast,  Carew  bade  the  old  doctor  a  hearty 
farewell,  and  with  many  expressions  of  mutual  feeling 
these  two  parted  —  for  ever! 


64  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

Outside,  in  the  hall,  Miss  Stuart  waited  for  him,  with 
her  hat  on. 

"  I  will  go  to  the  boat  with  you,"  said  she. 

"  Thanks ;  it  is  just  like  you,"  replied  he,  briefly,  his 
heart  too  full  to  trust  himself  farther.  They  walked 
slowly  and  silently,  side  by  side,  to  the  gate,  when 
Carew  suddenly  exclaimed,  as  he  seized  her  hand, 

"  Mar}',  we  may  never  meet  again  I  will  you  not  give 
your  old  friend  a  kiss,  as  in  former* days,  at  parting?" 

Onl}^  for  an  instant  did  she  hesitate,  then,  surrender- 
ing to  the  gentle  pressure,  as  he  drew  her  towards  him, 
and  murmuring,  ''my  dear  brother,"  gave  him  her 
cheek. 

Quickly  disengaging  herself,  with  a  smile  on  her  lip 
and  a  tear  in  her  eye,  she  said : 

"  Xow  go,  and  may  God  speed  and  bless  3-ou  in  3'our 
career,  which  I  am  sure  will  be  always  honorable  and 
just!" 

Without  a  word,  Carew  broke  from  her  and  rushed 
to  the  landing  where  the  boat  lay,  but  a  few  steps  off. 

"  Push  the  boat  out  at  once  I "  said  he  to  the  man,  in 
a  broken  voice.  Sebastian  obeyed,  and  as  the}^  swung 
out  into  the  stream.  Miss  Stuart  appeared  on  the  spot 
they  had  just  left,  and  waved  her  handkerchief  in 
silent  adieu.     Carew  resj)onded  by  swinging  his  cap. 

Still  she  stood  there  !  her  fair  form  standing  outlined 
in  clear  relief   aoainst  the  horizon.     As  the  Wanderer 

o 

swept  around  a  point  below,  Carew  fancied  he  saw 
another  flutter  of  the  white  handkerchief,  and  the  loved 
one  faded  from  his  straining  vision  I 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  65 


CHAPTER  V. 

HOMEAGAIN. 

FOR  some  time  Carew  remained  silent  and  motion- 
less, wrapt  in  the  solitude  of  his  sad  thoughts. 
The  man  apparently  understood  the  cause  of  this  apa- 
thy, for  though  usually  loquacious  enough,  he  now 
maintained  a  discreet  silence  and  contented  himself 
with  tugging  at  the  oars. 

They  soon  passed  the  bluffs  of  Port  Hudson,  there- 
after to .  become  so  famous,  and  entered  upon  the 
"  Coast,"  as  it  is  called,  a  portion  of  the  Mississippi 
which  is  dotted  from  this  point  to  its  mouth  with  an 
almost  continuous  succession  of  sugar  houses,  with 
their  tall  chimneys,  surrounded  by  fields  of  green  sugar 
cane,  undulating  in  the  blazing  sun,  like  the  miniature 
waves  of  an  emerald  sea.  Until  Baton  Rouge  is  passed 
a  cotton  plantation  occasionally  appears  in  its  fleecy 
whiteness,  thus  intruding,  as  it  were,  upon  the  chosen 
territory  of  its  tropical  neighbor. 

^  Sebastian,  finally,  as  the  plantation  bells  sounded  the 
dinner  hour  at  noon,  pulled  his  oars  in  and  allowed  the 
boat  to  drift,  hoping  by  this  manoeuvre  to  attract  the 
attention  of  his  master,  who  had  not  uttered  a  word 
since  morning.  This  attempt  proving  unsuccessful,  he 
ventured  to  suggest  that  it  was  time  for  dinner. 

"  Very  well,"  said  Carew,  indifferently,  "  take  what 
you  like ;  I  am  not  hungry." 
4 


66  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"But  sir,"  persisted  Sebastian,  "here  is  a  mighty 
nice  basket  full  of  things  that  Miss  Mary  put  up  her- 
self for  you ;  she  would  not  like  it  if  you  wouldn't  eat 
some." 

This  was  an  agreeable  surprise  to  our  hero.  The 
considerate  thoughtfuluess  of  his  fair  young  hostess 
touched  him,  and  it  seemed  as  though  a  link  still  con- 
nected them.  Hastily  seizing  the  hamper,  which  he 
had  not  hitherto  noticed,  though  it  lay  at  his  feet,  and 
opening  it,  a  small  card  met  his  eye,  on  which  was 
inscribed,  with  the  delicate  hand  of  a  woman,  these 
words,  from  the  fourth  chapter  of  St.  James :  "Whereas 
you  know  not  what  shall  be  on  the  morrow." 

"  Dear  girl,"  thought  he,  "  she  anticipated  my  feel- 
ings. Well,  I  must  emulate  her  spirit.  '  Sufficient 
unto  the  day' " — thus  saying,  he  handed  some  of  the 
contents  of  the  abundantly  supplied  hamper  to  his  man, 
and  proceeded  to  eat  with  a  better  appetite  than  he 
could  have  conceived  possible  under  the  circumstances. 

Whilst  eating,  master  and  man  engaged  in  a  desul- 
tory conversation,  looking  about  meanwhile.  As  they 
were  thus  occupied,  Carew  noticed  a  knot  of  men  not 
far  below  engaged  in  rolling  bales  of  cotton  from  a 
good  sized  warehouse  situated  near  the  water's  edge ; 
another  group  received  the  staple,  and  made  it  into 
irregular  piles. 

This  singular  proceeding  was  unaccountable,  until 
Sebastian  cried  out,  "  'Fore  God,  sir,  they  are  settin' 
fire  to  that  cotton  !  " 

"  Nonsense,"  said  Carew,  "  they  must  be  only  building 
a  fire   near   by."      The    man,    however,   persisting   in 


THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  1  E  L  D.  67 

his  statement,  they  concluded  to  run  in  close  to  the 
spot  for  observation,  and  sure  enough  it  was  the  cotton 
which  was  being  fired,  for  the  flames  now  assumed 
large  proportions,  as  tliej  greedily  devoured  the  staple, 
consisting  of  thirty  or  forty  bales. 

"  What  are  you  doing  ? "  shouted  Carew,  as  they 
came  Avithin  hailing  distance. 

"  We  are  burning  this  cotton,  to  keep  the  Yankees 
from  stealing  it,"  responded  a  burl}^  man  who  sat  on 
horseback,  and  was  apparently  directing  the  others. 

"  Who  is  the  owner  ?  "  Carew  again  called  out,  curi- 
ous to  know  the  name  of  this  fool. 

'I  am ! "  roared  the  other.  "  What  have  you  got 
to  say  agin'  it  ?  " 

Carew,  not  deigning  to  reply,  soon  drifted  out  of 
hearing,  though  he  could  see  from  the  excited  gestures 
of  the  man  that  he  was  highly  indignant  at  the  query 
of  our  hero. 

A  few^  miles  below  this  point  they  saw,  on  several 
plantations,  numbers  of  men  with  wagons  hauling  hogs- 
heads full  of  sugar  to  the  edge  of  the  w^ater,  then,  after 
knocking  the  heads  in  with  axes,  the  packages  and 
contents  were  rolled  into  the  river,  to  be  speedily  car- 
ried away  and  dissolved. 

"  Master,"  said  Sebastian,  "  w^ould  the  Yankees  take 
this  sugar  and  cotton  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not,"  replied  his  master ;  '*  private  prop- 
ert}^  will  not  be  seized.  These  men  are  mad,  and  will 
repent  their  folly  when  it  is  too  late  to  repair  these  self- 
inflicted  injuries." 

As  they  had  met  with  such  an  unpleasant  reception 


68  THE     EABL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

at  the  burning  cotton  pile,  they  made  no  further 
inquiries,  but  permitted  these  free  citizens  of  a  free 
country  to  do  what  they  liked  with  their  own. 

At  nightfall  they  determined  upon  drifting  through 
the  night,  as  Carew  was  becoming  more  and  more  anx- 
ious to  reach  home.  The  destruction  of  property  he 
had  witnessed  caused  great  solicitude  in  his  mind  as  to 
the  possible  condition  of  affairs  on  his  own  estate, 
which  was  so  much  nearer  to  New  Orleans,  being  there- 
fore the  more  exposed  to  danger. 

They  watched  alternately  through  the  night,  using 
only  sufficient  exertions  to  keep  the  Wanderer  from 
striking  the  banks,  and  as  the  river  was,  from  this  point 
down,  free  from  driftwood  or  crevasses,  it  was  quite 
safe  navigation. 

Thus  also  did  they  go  through  the  following  day  and 
its  night,  until,  on  the  third  morning  after  leaving 
Woodbourne,  the}^  found  themselves  still  nearly  eighty 
miles  from  home. 

"  Courage,  Sebastian,"  cried  our  hero,  "  and  to-night 
will  our  long  voyage  be  ended.  The  Wanderer  shall 
be  taken  out  of  the  water,  just  as  she  is,  with  all  her 
contents,  and  shall  be  preserved  for  the  service  she  has 
rendered." 

"  Glory,  good  Lord  I  "  said  the  man,  "  I'll  be  a  happ}^ 
man  when  I  see's  the  folks  agin' ! " 

"  And  Sallie  !  "  interjected  Carew,  whereat  Sebastian 
hung  his  head  with  a  sheepish  grin. 

Exhausted  as  they  both  were  with  the  fatigue  and 
exposure  of  this  memorable  voyage,  they  were  roused 
to  renewed  exertions  now  that  each  stroke  of  the  oars 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  69 

seemed  to  perceptibly  dimiiiisli  the  remaining  distance. 
About  four  in  the  afternoon  they  had  but  twenty  miles 
to  accomplish;  in  fact,  they  seemed  almost  home,  so 
familiar  to  both  was  every  surrounding  object. 

As  they  congratulated  each  other  on  the  prospect  of 
reaching  Court  Lodge  by  nine  or  ten  at  night,  at  far- 
thest, Carew's  eye  fell  on  a  flag,  elevated  at  a  consider- 
able height,  but  whether  it  was  on  land  or  water  he 
could  not  judge,  for  it  was  several  miles  distant,  and 
the  river  was  very  crooked.  Both  men  gazed  earnestly, 
when  another  flag  came  in  sight,  followed  by  another, 
and  still  another,  to  the  number  of  six  in  all.  Carew's 
heart  throbbed.  "  It  is  the  fleet !  "  said  he.  "  At  last 
the  cry  of  wolf  has  proved  true ;  they  are  on  their  way 
up  the  river!" 

Sebastian's  face  assumed  very  much  of  the  hue  it  had 
when  he  came  through  the  "  cut  off."  He  inquired  in 
trembling  tones  whether  they  would  be  captured,  for 
he  had  not  yet  learned  to  look  upon  the  enemy  as 
friends. 

Carew  was  anxious  and  perplexed.  True  it  was  that 
he  was  a  loyalist,  and  should  therefore  have  nothing  to 
fear ;  but  detention  might  follow  until  he  could  prove 
his  sentiments;  his  present  position,  in  an  open  boat, 
clad,  as  was  his  man,  in  the  rebel  uniform,  was  deci- 
dedly awkward  and  difficult  to  explain.  Meanwhile 
the  Wanderer  and  the  ships  approached  gradually 
nearer  to  each  other;  they  could  see  the  look-outs 
stationed  in  the  tops,  who  were  doubtless  sweeping 
the  horizon  with  their  glasses ;  perhaps  they  had  already 
seen  the  boat. 


70  THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

At  Sebastian's  suggestion  they  ran  for  the  nearest 
bank,  secured  the  boat  so  as  to  leave  as  little  of  it  visi- 
ble as  possible,  and  crept  behind  the  levee,  which  is  an 
embankment  averaging  about  six  feet  in  height.  Thus 
they  could  readily  observe  the  ships  without  being 
exposed,  and  if  necessary,  could  abandon  their  boat 
and  flee  to  the  swamp,  about  two  miles  distant,  before 
the  small  boats  could  be  lowered  and  sent  after  them. 

These  precautions  proved  unnecessary;  either  they 
had  not  been  observed,  or,  what  is  more  probable,  were 
supposed  to  be  fishermen ;  at  any  rate,  no  effort  was 
made  to  disturb  them. 

The  squadron  presented  a  magnificent  spectacle  as  it 
moved  slowly  up  the  very  middle  of  the  stream.  Fii'st 
came  the  "  Hartford,"  with  Farragut  himself  on  board, 
as  Carew  learned  afterwards;  then  a  large  paddle 
steamer,  followed,  tandem  fashion,  by  four  small  pro- 
pellers. Each  vessel  had  its  ports  open,  showing  the 
huge  and  grim  "  dogs  of  war  "  ready  for  action ;  the 
tops  bristled  with  sharp-shooters,  and  everything  was 
evidently  being  conducted  on  the  hypothesis  that  they 
were  liable  to  be  attacked  at  any  moment  by  shore  bat- 
teries, or  a  fleet  of  Confederate  boats. 

This  proved  to  Carew  that  they  were  as  yet  but 
poorly  informed  as  to  the  really  defenceless  condition 
of  the  river. 

Although  our  hero  was  thoroughl}'  loyal  in  his  senti- 
ments, he  could  not  avoid  feeling  a  thrill  of  indignation 
at  this  scene.  With  a  sinking  heart,  and  many  a  pang, 
did  he  gaze  upon  these  monsters  of  the  deep,  as  they 
swept  slowly,  silently  and  majestically  up  the  great 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  71 

river,  the  current  .moaning  unceasingly  against  their 
bows,  as  if  in  a  hist  but  unavailing  effort  to  resist  the 
advance  of  the  foe. 

So  lost  was  he  in  these  sad  reflections  as  he  watched 
the  huge  hulls  sweep  gradually  around  the  intervening 
point  and  disappear,  while  the  flag  of  the  enemy  still 
fluttered  proudly  and  menacingly  from  the  masts,  that 
he  was  heedless  of  the  hour,  until  Sebastian  reminded 
him  if  they  wished  to  reach  home  that  night  they  must 
be  moving. 

Once  more  then,  and  for  the  last  time,  was  the  Wan- 
derer pushed  out  into  the  current,  and  they  resumed 
the  oars  briskly,  having  been  somewhat  refreshed  by 
the  detention  of  more  than  an  hour,  while  the  ships 
passed. 

No  further  interruption  occurred.  Everything  on 
both  banks  of  the  river  was  as  still  as  death ;  not  a 
living  object,  other  than  the  two  men  in  the  boat,  was 
visible ;  the  country  was  paralyzed  and  prostrated 
under  the  terrible  calamity  which  had  befallen  it. 

At  dark  they  had  still  ten  miles  to  go,  and  at  nine 
o'clock  they  slipped  smoothly  and  silently  against  the 
landing  in  front  of  Carew's  residence.  Feeling  stiff 
and  sore,  and  knowing  besides,  that  though  arrived  at 
all  the  home  he  possessed  in  the  world,  there  was  not 
even  one  dear  soul  to  meet  him,  he  sent  the  boy  in 
to  arouse  the  manager  of  the  estate  and  procure  assist- 
ance, while  he  remained  in  charge  of  the  boat. 

Gladly  and  swiftly  did  Sebastian  spring  on  shore, 
doubtless  feeling,  though  not  expressing,  the  sentiments 
of  Rob  Roy,  as  he  stepped  on  his  native  heath. 


72  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

In  a  surprisingly  short  interval  he  returned,  acconi' 
panied  by  a  tumultuous  crowd  of  negroes,  men,  women 
and  children,  who  crowded  around  their  beloved  young 
master  with  wild  shouts  and  gesticulations  of  joy  and 
welcome  I  They  were  closely  followed  by  the  wliite- 
haired  manager,  who  was  not  so  swift  of  foot. 

With  brawny  arms  the  men  gently  drew  the  (now 
sacred  in  their  eyes)  Wanderer,  from  the  water,  with 
all  its  contents,  and  desisted  not  until  they  had  safely 
deposited  it  on  the  piazza  of  the  manager's  residence. 
Thus  endeth  our  fifth  chapter. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  73 

CHAPTER  VI. 

MASTER    AND    SLAVES. 

WE  can  not  now  enter  upon  a  description  of  the 
estate  and  mansion  of  Court  Lodge,  but  will 
reserve  that  task  for  a  future  chapter.  The  confusion 
attending  the  invasion  and  the  rush  of  events  will 
occupy  us  for  the  present  more  with  persons  than  with 
things. 

Mr.  John  F.  Randolph,  the  manager  of  the  property, 
was  a  venerable,  patriarchal  man,  who  had  been  in  the 
service  of  the  Carews,  fere  et  fils,  for  about  twenty 
years.  He  was  so  lost  to  his  own  affairs  that  he  had 
not  seen  his  wife  and  two  daughters,  who  resided  in 
Rochester,  New  York — his  own  native  city — for  fifteen 
years.  One  \yould  naturally  suppose  that  this  state- 
ment alone  would  be  sufficient  to  stamp  his  character  as 
being  either  hard  and  selfish  or  suffering  from  domestic 
infelicity,  which  might  have  caused  a  separation  of  such 
duration  —  so  lengthy  that  the  father  would  not,  should 
he  meet  them,  be  able  to  recognize  his  own  children. 
Such,  however,  was  not  the  case.  A  more  genial,  kind- 
hearted  old  man  never  breathed.  The  real  cause  of  the 
separation  between  husband  and  wife  was  the  continued 
ill-health  of  the  latter  while  in  Louisiana.  With  unsel- 
fish devotion,  the  husband  insisted  upon  sending  her 
home  to  Rochester,  where  she  could  breathe  her  native 
Northern  air  and  receive  the  caresses  and  attention  of 


74  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

her  mother.  Randolph  being  obliged  to  remain  in  his 
position  of  manager  —  his  only  resource  —  for  the  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  the  means  for  their  mutual  support, 
hoping  that  he  would,  in  the  course  of  time,  be  able  to 
save  enough  out  of  his  salary  to  retire,  rejoin  his  family 
and  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  comfort. 

So  far  as  the  financial  portion  of  this  programme  was 
concerned  all  had  gone  well.  The  now  fully  restored 
health  of  Mrs.  Randolph,  combined  with  her  economical 
habits,  had  not  proved  as  great  a  drain  as  was  expected. 
The  manager's  salary  —  a  liberal  one — gradually  accu- 
mulated in  the  hands  of  his  employers  for  years  —  for, 
with  the  exception  of  remittances  to  his  wife,  Randolph 
spent  only  what  was  requisite  for  the  bare  necessaries 
of  life — until  it  now  amounted  to  a  considerable  sum, 
the  interest  of  which  would  have  sufficed  for  the 
respectable  maintenance  of  himself  and  family  in  their 
modest  Northern  home. 

With  increasing  years  and  prosperity,  however,  new 
ties  had  been  formed.  The  now  old  manager  devoted 
himself  with  conscientious  ardor  to  the  interests  of  Mr. 
Carew,  senior,  who  admired  and  respected  the  simple 
but,  at  the  same  time,  self-reliant  character  of  Randolph. 
He  was  also  a  well  read  and  educated  man,  which  still 
more  endeared  him  to  Mr.  Carew's  cultured  mind.  He 
had,  therefore,  gradually  grown  into  the  heart  of  his 
employer,  who  latterly  looked  upon  and  treated  him 
more  as  a  confidential  friend  and  companion  than  as  an 
employ^. 

The  gratitude,  therefore,  of  such  a  character  as 
we   have   delineated,   in   return,   was    proportionately 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  75 

strong;  and  when  Mr.  Carew's  untimely  death  inter- 
vened to  break  this  friendship,  it  was  a  shock  which 
affected  Randolph  to  a  degree  which  speedily  bleached 
his  iron  grey  hair  and  beard  to  a  snowy  whiteness  ;  and 
in  two  years  after  this  painful  event,  his  hitherto  erect 
form  was  bent  as  with  extreme  old  age,  though,  in  fact, 
he  was  only  sixty-five. 

It  will  naturally  occur  to  the  reader's  mind,  now  that 
his  old  friend  and  employer  was  dead,  and  with  suffi- 
cient means  to  rejoin  his  family,  there  to  be  soothed 
with  the  long-lost  endearments  of  home,  at  as  great  a 
distance  as  possible  from  scenes  which  could  only 
remind  him  of  the  friend  who  could  never  be  replaced, 
would  be  the  proper  and  obvious  course  to  be  pursued. 

This  was  not  the  view  taken  of  his  duty  by  Randolph. 
With  the  father,  so  had  the  son  grown  into  this  great 
heart,  and  with  a  self-sacrifice  of  his  own  inclinations 
and  a  devotion  which  does  honor  to  human  nature  in 
these  degenerate  days,  he  determined  to  remain  at  his 
post  of  duty  until  young  Carew  arrived  at  his  majority. 

"By  that  time,"  said  he,  "the  old  man's  usefulness 
will  have  been  worn  out,  and  he  can  then  depart  in 
peace." 

It  may  be  readily  imagined  that  Mr.  Hardy,  our 
hero's  guardian  and  grandfather,  was  delighted  and 
relieved  at  this  determination  of  Mr.  Randolph ;  for 
though  a  successful  business  man  himself,  he  had  always 
led  a  city  life,  and  with  all  imaginable  desire  and 
anxiety  to  perform  his  full  duty  to  the  orphaned  boy, 
he  felt  grave  doubts  as  to  his  capability  to  successfully 
manage  so  large  and   important  a  property  as  Court 


76  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

Lodge.  Although  he  had  the  highest  possible  estima- 
tion of  the  character  of  the  old  manager,  still  he  had 
not  even  dreamed  of  hoping  that  he  would  be  willing  to 
neglect  so  favorable  an  opportunity  to  relinquish  his 
arduous  post  and  carry  out  the  cherished  plan  of  joining 
his  family,  which  had  been  formed  years  ago. 

The  two  old  men,  therefore,  jogged  quietly  and  com- 
fortably together  through  the  years  which  intervened 
between  the  death  of  Mr.  Carew  and  the  takinor  charg^e, 
under  the  act  of  emancipation,  before  mentioned  in  our 
first  chapter,  of  his  property  by  our  hero. 

Now,  the  time  had  at  last  arrived  when  Randolph 
could  gracefully  retire,  "with  all  his  honors  thick  upon 
him,"  and  he  was  preparing  to  do  so  ;  Carew,  of  course, 
not  feeling  it  right  to  offer  the  smallest  opposition. 

He,  therefore,  informed  his  young  employer,  that  at 
the  end  of  another  season  he  would  resign  the  position 
so  ably  filled  for  years. 

Like  a  thunderbolt  from  a  clear  sky  came  the  war, 
with  the  interruption  of  intercourse  between  North 
and  South,  followed  by  the  conscription,  for  the  army, 
of  Carew.  These  events  succeeded  each  other  with 
great  rapidity  and  frustrated  the  plans  of  the  patient 
old  man.  He  looked  upon  the  continued,  and  now 
forced,  separation  from  his  family  as  the  will  of  Provi- 
dence, bearing  all  with  meekness  and  resignation. 

MeauAvhile,  and  especially  during  Carew's  absence  in 
the  rebel  army,  he  applied  himself  with  renewed  energy 
to  his  duties.  So  well  had  he  managed  the  estate,  that 
on  this  occasion,  when  Carew  examined  his  accounts, 
he  found  a  crop  of  sugar  in  the  plantation  warehouse, 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  77 

technically  called  the  "purgery,"  which  would  be  worth 
in  New  York  not  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  It  was  a  large  crop,  and  sugar  was 
then  scarce  and  high. 

Nor  was  this  the  full  extent  of  Carew's  cash  resources, 
for,  in  addition  to  the  valuable  crop  of  sugar,  he  had  a 
large  sum  of  money  on  deposit  in  the  principal  bank  at 
New  Orleans.  His  anxiety  to  reach  home  can,  there- 
fore, be  readily  conceived. 

Carew  did  not  rise  until  noon  of  the  ensuing  day,  for, 
despite  his  fatigue,  he  sat  up  for  several  hours  after  his 
arrival  on  the  previous  night,  discussing  the  many  stir- 
ring events  which  had  occurred  during  the  interval  of 
several  months  which  had  separated  him  from  Randolph. 

He  breakfasted  in  his  room,  and  on  descending  to  the 
library  found  Mr.  Randolph  and  another  friend  awaiting 
him.  The  manager  informed  him  that  he  had,  in  honor 
of  the  master's  return,  given  the  slaves  a  holiday. 
They  had,  without  exception,  performed  their  duties 
faithfully  during  his  absence,  and  were  now  waiting 
outside  in  a  body  in  order  that  they  might  pay  their 
respects  to  him. 

Carew  arose  at  once,  saying  he  would  not  detain 
them  a  moment,  and,  bidding  Randolph  lead  the  way, 
he  followed,  attended  by  his  friend.  On  reaching 
the  lawn  in  front  of  the  mansion,  an  interesting  scene 
was  enacted.  The  faithful  creatures,  of  all  ages  and 
sexes,  were  scattered  around  in  picturesque  confusion, 
in  number  considerably  exceeding  one  hundred.  All 
w6re  neatly  dressed  —  the  women  with  turbaned  heads, 
formed  b}^  binding  about  them  handkerchiefs  of  divers 


78  THE    EARL     OE    MAYEIELD. 

rich  colors,  which  flashed  in  the  bright  sun  and  gave  an 
Oriental  tinge  to  the  view.  This  illusion  was  enhanced 
by  the  various  tropical  plants  growing  in  profusion 
about  the  grounds. 

As  the  young  master  advanced,  bareheaded,  the  men 
simultaneously  doffed  their  hats,  the  women  courtesied, 
and  the  '^pickaninnies" — as  negro  children  are  called 
—  timidly  grasped  with  one  hand  the  dresses  of  their 
respective  mothers,  while,  in  most  instances,  they  tln-ust 
the  index  finger  of  the  remaining  hand  in  their  mouths. 

Carew  addressed  them  kindly  and  briefly,  praising 
their  good  conduct,  commenting  favorably  on  their 
present  neat  appearance,  and  assuring  them,  come  what 
might,  of  his  continued  protection  and  solicitude  for 
their  welfare.  He  then  requested  them  to  come  forward 
^nd  shake  hands  with  him. 

This  was  a  rare  honor,  which  was  conferred  on  his 
slaves  by  Carew  onl}^  on  occasions  Avhen  he  desired  to 
evince  especial  satisfaction  with  their  conduct.  At  such 
times,  those  who  might  be  undergoing  some  degree  of 
punishment  for  offenses  committed  received  full  pardon 
from  the  mere  fact  of  having  touched  the  hand  of  the 
master,  and  were  at  once  reinstated  in  the  good  graces 
of  the  manager,  as  well  as  in  the  estimation  of  their 
fellow  slaves. 

All  rushed,  crowding  around  Carew.  It  was  a  beau- 
tiful and  touching  picture  to  see  the  respectful  eager- 
ness with  which  each  took  the  honored  hand,  clothed 
as  it  was,  with  the  plentitude  of  authority  for  good  or 
for  evil  —  nay,  practically,  with  the  power  of  life  and 
death — should  the   master  so  elect.     It  was  easy  to 


THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  79 

perceive  in  this  case,  however,  that  the  emotions  dis- 
l^hiyed  were  those  of  love  and  not  fear.  Carew's  father 
had  been  an  indulgent  master  and  the  son  followed 
reverently  in  his  footsteps,  feeling  that  in  the  sight  of 
the  Great  Master  of  all  he  was  only  His  steward. 

This  ceremony  over,  the  people  were  dismissed  to 
enjoy  their  holiday,  each  after  his  or  her  own  fashion. 
Carew  returned  into  the  house  with  the  friend  who 
had  attended  him,  Randolph  having  other  matters  to 
look  after. 

We  must  now  devote  a  few  words  to  this  gentleman. 
Joseph  Boiseau  Avas  a  native  of  the  parish  in  which  he 
resided,  about  one  mile  from  Court  Lodge,  but  was  of 
Canadian-French  extraction.  Although  he  had  received 
a  liberal  education,  he  still  retained  a  slight  accent, 
imbibed  with  his  mother's  milk,  as  he  used  to  say  himself. 
This  slight  defect,  instead  of  detracting  from  his  agree- 
ableness,  was,  on  the  contrary,  rather  prepossessing. 
Take  him  all  in  all,  he  was  one  of  the  most  genial  of 
companions.  Of  rather  less  than  the  avei'age  height 
and  stout  in  proportion,  his  gait  Avas  more  of  a  rolling 
waddle  than  a  walk.  This  peculiarity,  added  to  his 
round,  frank,  open  face  and  perpetual  smile,  made  liim, 
of  all  men,  the  most  desirable  associate  for  Carew, 
whose  disposition  was  grave  and  inclined  to  melanchol}^ 

Boiseau,  albeit  a  lawyer,  Avas  a  thoroughly  moral, 
Christian  man,  a  Roman  Catholic  in  religion  and  ar- 
dently attached  to  the  ancient  never-changing  church. 

This  friend  was  a  constant  visitor  at  Court  Lodge, 
where  a  seat  was  always  provided  for  him  on  the  left 
of  his  host.     His  ijenchant  for  Carew  was  so  strong  that 


80  THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD. 

his  clients,  when  not  finding  him  at  his  own  house, 
invariably  sought  him  at  that  of  his  friend.  Indeed, 
his  wife  sometimes  affected  to  be  jealous  of  Carew  for 
keeping  her  husband  so  much  from  home. 

On  the  subject  of  politics  the  two  fri^ends,  so  united 
on  almost  every  other  matter,  were  at  variance,  Boiseau 
being  a  strong  rebel  and  a  firm  believer  in  state  sover- 
eignty. Neither  could  he  see  any  harm  in  slavery. 
Tliis  institution  being,  in  his  opinion,  a  state  allowed 
by  the  Bible,  was,  therefore,  in  concurrence  with  the 
divine  institution. 

On  this  point  Carew  maintained  that  he  was  in  error ; 
that  the  Bible  did  not  allow  or  approve  of  slavery,  but, 
under  the  Mosaic  law,  regulated  what  was,  in  the  then 
rude  and  barbarous  condition  of  the  world,  a  condition 
of  things  which,  though  evil,  could  not  be  altered  until 
the  mind  of  man  was  exalted  and  elevated  by  the  new 
dispensation,  when  the  Mosaic  law  was  in  many  portions 
itself  abrogated. 

"You  can,  as  you  know  the  devil  is  said  to  have 
done,"  Carew  would  say,  "alwaj^s  find  some  excuse  in 
the  Bible  for  almost  every  evil.  It  would  be  as  reason- 
able to  quote  the  Old  Testament  in  favor  of  having 
polygamy  in  our  times  as  it  is  to  cite  arguments  from  it 
for  slavery." 

Thus  would  the  two  friends  argue  for  hours,  but 
their  great  contests  were  on  political  issues.  Boiseau 
was  all  the  more  energetic  on  this  arena,  for,  firmly 
convinced,  as  he  was,  not  only  of  the  justice  of  the 
Southern  cause,  but  in  its  eventual  triumph,  he  was 
anxiously  solicitous  for  the  welfare  of  his  friend,  well 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  81 

knowing  that,  in  such  event,  Carew  would  be  compelled 
to  leave  the  country  and  his  property  would  be  con- 
fiscated. 

Our  hero,  however,  laughed  at  this  idea.  He  was 
not  only  convinced  that  the  North  would  be  victor,  but 
also  that  the  end  was  near. 

"  Let  the  war  terminate  as  it  will,"  said  he,  "  New 
Orleans,  with  the  immediate  region  surrounding,  will 
remain  in  the  hands  of  the  United  Sates.  The  city  is 
impregnable  against  any  land  attack,  while  the  Con- 
federates have  no  vessels." 

Boiseau  vehemently  combated  this  proposition,  and 
asserted  that,  ere  long,  a  combined  assault  by  land  and 
water  would  be  made  from  some  mysterious  quarter. 
He  could  not  be  more  explicit,  for  these  forces  existed 
only  in  his  imagination. 

Randolph  rarely  took  part  in  these  disputes.  His 
family,  being  in  the  North,  inclined  him,  as  did  also  his 
natural  kindly  feelings,  to  adopt  a  neutral  course,  and 
to  hope  that  some  kind  of  accommodation  between  the 
Avarring  sections  would  be  eventually  consummated. 
When,  however,  after  three  or  four  days'  stay,  Carew 
announced  his  intention  of  visiting  New  Orleans,  he  was 
roused  into  joining  sides  with  Boiseau,  and  earnestly 
dissuaded  him  from  attempting  this  course.  He  stated 
that  he  liad  himself  been  once  to  the  city  since  its 
occupation  by  .the  enem}^  in  order  to  look  after  his 
employer's  interests  there,  and,  though  he  had  found  it 
easy  enough  to  obtain  an  entrance,  yet,  when  lie  wished 
to  return  home,  he  was  required  to  take  an  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  government  of  the  United  States. 
5 


82  THE     E  A  Pw  L     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

This  he  declined  doing,  and  had  onh'  succeeded  in 
eluding  the  vigilance  of  their  pickets  by  passing  up  the 
river  at  night  in  a  canoe.  "An  individual,"  he  con- 
tinued, "of  Carew's  prominence  would  not  escape  so 
easily." 

The  good  old  man  then  offered,  despite  the  danger, 
to  make  another  trip,  and  to  endeavor  to  carry  out 
whatever  enterprise  his  employer  might  have  on  foot. 

All  this  produced  no  effect  on  our  hero.  Go  he 
would,  let  the  consequences  be  what  they  might.  Ac- 
cordingly, he  set  out  after  breakfast  on  the  following 
morning,  unattended,  save  by  the  man  who  drove  his 
carriage,  and  after  several  hours  —  Court  Lodge  was  not 
many  miles  above  New  Orleans — arrived  at  the  first 
picket,  about  ten  miles  above  the  city.  Here  he  was 
stopped,  but,  as  Randolph  had  told  him,  beyond  taking 
his  name  and  address,  was  asked  no  questions  and  was 
permitted  to  proceed. 

Within  two  hours  he  was  in  his  own  house — for  he 
also  kept  a  town  residence,  where  he  was  speedily 
made  comfortable  by  two  of  the  old  family  servants  —  a 
man  and  wife,  whose  especial  duty  consisted  in  the 
care  of  this  mansion,  and  who  were  sufficient  for  all 
ordinary  purposes ;  for  when  Carew  intended  to  remain 
in  the  city  for  a  length  of  time,  he  brought  additional 
servants  from  the  countr3^ 

The  city  residence  of  our  hero  was  not  very  large, 
nor  did  it  possess  much  ground  about  it,  but  it  w^as 
situated  on  a  principal  street.  It  was  one  of  the  few 
really  elegant  private  houses  of  which  Xew  Orleans 
could  boast.    It  was  handsomely,  but  not  extravagantly 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  83 

furnished,  being  retained  more  ^s  a  convenience,  when 
he  came  to  town  occasionally,  than  for  any  other  pur- 
pose. Carew  considered  Court  Lodge  as  his  residence. 
He  used  to  say  to  his  friends  that  he  "  liked  to  vegetate 
in  the  country." 

Immediately  on  arrival,  he  sent  his  driver  with  a 
note  to  an  old  friend,  who  resided  at  no  great  distance, 
announcing  his  presence  in  the  city,  much  fatigue  being 
his  excuse  for  not  calling  in  person,  and  begging  his 
friend  to  drop  in  at  as  early  an  hour  as  he  could. 

In  the  course  of  two  or  three  hours,  accordingly,  the 
gentleman  was  announced.  He  was  warmly  greeted 
by  Carew.  This  interveiw  was  followed  by  events 
which  will  be  related  in  another  chapter. 


84  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

A    SPECULATION     THAT    PAYS. 

CUREW'S  friend,  Mr.  John  Whitefield,  was  an 
^  attorney ;  though,  like  our  hero's  other  compan- 
ion Boiseau,  he  was  an  honest  man.  We  do  not  wish 
to  be  accused  of  improbability,  by  bringing  two  men  of 
this  profession  into  our  story,  of  such  high  moral  char- 
acter ;  but,  as  kissing  is  said  to  go  by  favor,  so  it  is  pos- 
sible that  Carew  may  have  been  fortunate  enough  to 
find  two  such  friends,  for  it  must  be  admitted  by  even 
the  most  determined  opponents  of  the  long  .robe,  that 
some  of  these  gentry  are  high-toned  and  honorable. 

We  will  repeat,  therefore,  that  Mr.  Whitefield  was  an 
honest  man.  Our  hero  could  not,  under  the  present 
circumstances,  have  made  a  more  judicious  choice  of  an 
adviser. 

His  position  was  critical.  His  large  interests  were 
involved,  and  it  was  important  that  he  should  take 
decisive  steps  within  the  next  few  days. 

As  this  is  merely  a  story,  we  do  not  propose  inflicting 
on  our  readers,  a  history  of  the  events  which  were  now 
so  rapi(ily  transpiring  in  New  Orleans,  but  will  simply 
relate  the  conversation  which  passed  between  the 
friends. 

After  mutual  congratulations,  ^ind  an  inquiry  on 
Carew's  part  after  Mr.  Whitefield's  family,  a  short 
pause  ensued,  when  the  latter  glancing  anxiously  at 
our  hero,  said: 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  85 

"  My  dear  young  friend,  I  am  truly  glad  to  meet  you 
again ;  when  we  parted,  you  to  enter  the  Confederate 
army,  I  scarcely  hoped  to  see  you  again ;  but  tell  me 
what  you  propose  doing  ?  It  is  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance for  your  interests,  that  your  first  steps  be  deliber- 
ately considered  before  taking  action." 

"You  express  my  sentiments,"  replied  the  other, 
"therefore  I  sent  for  you,  knowing  that  I  could  not 
consult  a  wiser  and  better  friend.  Now  tell  me  frankly 
what  are  your  political  opinions  ?  I  am  aware  it  is  a 
dangerous  question,  but  you  need  have  no  fears  with 
me." 

Whitefield  answered  without  hesitation.  "I  am  now 
what  I  have  ever  been,  an  uncompromising  and  loyal 
citizen  of  the  United  States.  Massachusetts  is  my 
native  State,  and  though  I  have  resided  in  the  South 
for  many  years,  and  am  in  every  respect  a  true  South- 
erner, yet  on  this  point,  I  am  inflexible." 

Carew  rose,  seized  the  hand  of  his  friend,  and  warmly 
pressing  it,  said :  "  This  is  the  answer  I  anticipated. 
My  dear  fellow,  our  sentiments  are  identical,  I  came  to 
New  Orleans  for  the  purpose  of  openly  taking  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States." 

Said  Whitefield :  "  It  is  a  bold  step,  yet  it  is  in  con- 
sonance with  your  character.  When  once  resolved  on 
a  course  of  action  you  regard  nothing  but  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  desired  end.  I,  my  friend,  have 
already  called  upon  the  General  in  command,  and  have 
taken  the  oath." 

"I  will  do  the  same,"  replied  Carew,  "as  soon  as 
possible.  Who  is  this  General,  and  where  is  he  to  be 
found?" 


86  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  His  name  is  Benjamin  F.  Butler,"  responded  White- 
field,  "  he  is  like  myself,  from  Massachusetts,  and,  with 
your  consent,  I  will  be  happy  to  accompany  you  to  his 
headquarters,  in  the  Custom  House." 

"Butler,  Butler,"  muttered  our  hero  to  himself,  then 
aloud,  "  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  heard  of  him 
as  a  military  man.  Is  he,  or  ratlier,  was  he  not  a  lead- 
ing politician  ?  " 

"Yes;  he  was  formerly  a  democrat,  but  joined  the 
republican  party  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  and 
was  rewarded  with  his  present  position." 

Carew  replied,  "  I  fear  that  he  is  not  suited  for  the 
emergency.  This  is  an  important  strategic  point,  and 
should  have  been  entrusted  to  a  military  man ;  these 
soldiers  in  buckram  do  nothing  but  blunder.  For  the 
first  time,  since  the  capture  of  New  Orleans,  I  feel 
uneasy  as  to  the  issue." 

"Well,"  said  Whitefield,  who  appeared  to  be  of  the 
same  way  of  thinking,  "we  must  hope  for  the  best. 
Let  him  blunder  as  he  will.  With  Farragut,  New 
Orleans,  at  any  rate,  is  safe.  Butler  has  been,  appa- 
rently, energetic  enough,  so  far.  Here  is  his  first  proc- 
lamation, issued  on  the  very  day  of  his  arrival.  I 
brought  it,  thinking  you  might  like  to  read  it." 
;  "  Thanks,"  responded  the  other,  taking  the  printed 
sheet,  and,  after  glancing  over  it,  he  continued :  "  This 
is  well  enough ;  the  portion,  however,  referring  to  the 
European  brigade,  and  permitting  the  retention  of 
their  military  organization,  looks  very  much  like 
weakness  on  his  part.  Either  he  has  not  a  sufficient 
army  to  feel  strong,  or  it  is  a  political  trick,  played 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  87 

for  the  purpose  of  attempting  to  win  favor  from  for- 
eigners." 

"You  are  right,  there,"  cried  his  hearer.  "It  is  a 
blunder,  and  a  general  who  sets  out  with  such  a  blun- 
der, is  not  likely  to  end  well.  Why,  it  is  nothing  more 
nor  less,  than  an  armed  rebellion  in  his  oWn  camp, 
which  will  burst  forth  into  acts  of  violence  on  the  first 
favorable  occasion  which  presents  itself." 

A  short  silence  followed,  and  was  broken  by  an 
inquiry  from  Whitefield  as  to  Carew's  adventures  since 
they  last  parted. 

This  curiosity  was  gratified  by  our  hero,  who  related 
his  story  down  to  the  present  moment.  It  was  now 
late,  and  time  to  separate  for  the  night.  After  making 
an  engagement  to  call  upon  Butler  the  next  day,  White- 
field  rose  to  depart,  Carew  attending  him  to  the  door. 
As  they  shook  hands,  it  occurred  to  the  former,  that  an 
invitation  to  breakfast  might  be  acceptable.  He  accord- 
ingly'mentioned  it  to  Carew,  who  at  once  assented,  say- 
ing he  would  rejoice  at  the  opportunity  to  present  his 
respects  to  Mrs.  Whitefield.  With  this  understanding 
they  parted  for  the  night,  Carew,  soon  after  his  friends' 
departure,  going  to  bed. 

On  rising,  our  hero  looked  about  for  the  morning 
papers,  which  were  invariabl}^  brought  to  his  room, 
when  in  town.  Not  finding  them,  he  rang,  and  inquired 
the  cause  of  the  omission. 

"  There  ain't  been  no  papers,  sir,  for  a'most  a  week." 

"  What  is  the  reason,  Henry  ?  " 

"  I  dunno,  sir,"  answered  the  man.  "  I  s'pects  it's 
because  the  Yankees  is  here." 


88  THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"I  remember,  now,"  thought  Carew,  "that  Butler's 
proclamation  was  printed  on  a  sheet  of  paper;  the 
newspapers  must  have  been  suppressed." 

Hastily  dressing,  and  anxious  to  learn  what  was 
going  on,  he  at  once  wended  his  way  to  the  house  of 
his  friend.  He  remarked,  as  he  walked  up  the  street, 
the  apathy  which  prevailed.  The  houses  were  closed, 
as  though  uninhabited ;  the  shops,  except  those  where 
provisions  were  sold,  had  the  shutters  up,  almost  with- 
out exception.  Everything  was  silent  and  deserted. 
Even  the  street  cries,  invariably  heard  in  every  large 
city,  were  wanting.  Not  a  vehicle  or  animal  of  any 
kind,  except  an  occasional  cat,  slipping  stealthily  along 
the  gutters,  was  to  be  seen. 

Now  and  then  a  mounted  orderly  would  dash  by, 
and  halt  at  one  or  another  of  the  public  squares,  all  of 
which  were  occupied  by  soldiers,  cavalry,  artillery  or 
infantry,  as  the  case  might  be.  Sentries  were  posted 
at  intervals  about  the  tercets,  apparently  performing 
police  duty,  as  they  evinced  no  inclination  to  molest 
our  hero.  He  could  not  help  remarking  the  neat,  new 
uniforms  of  the  men,  and  their  healthy,  cheerful  bear- 
ing, showing  they  were  well  cared  for,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  that  they  had  taken  little  or  no  part  in  the  pre- 
liminary movements  attending  the  capture  of  the  city. 

Absorbed  in  these  reflections  as  he  went  along,  Carew 
arrived  at  the  residence  of  his  friend,  a  fine,  spacious 
mansion,  with  ample  grounds,  situated  in  the  upper  and 
most  fashionable  quarter  of  the  city. 

He  was  greeted  with  a  warm  reception  by  both  host 
and  hostess ;  the  latter  was  a  native  of  the  South,  and 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  89 

Carew  soon  perceived  that,  though  dutifully  deferring 
to  the  opinions  of  her  husband,  her  sympathies  were 
with  the  losing  side ;  she  was  therefore  a  silent  witness 
of  the  conversation  which  passed  between  the  two  gen- 
tlemen. Carew  thought  he  could  discern  a  shade  of 
disappointment  in  her  manner,  though  she  said  nothing, 
when  he  reiterated  his  determination  of  calling  upon 
Butler. 

"  I  am  rejoiced  to  see  that  your  resolution  is  un- 
shaken," said  Whitefield,  as  they  took  seats  at  the 
breakfast  table;  ''I  was  somewhat  fearful  lest,  on 
reflection,  you  might  be  inclined  to  Avaver." 

"  Not  in  the  least !  my  mind  was  fully  made  up 
before  seeing  you,  else  I  had  not  come  to  New  Orleans, 
but  would  have  awaited  the  course  of  events  at  Court 
Lodge ! " 

"How  are  the  negroes  behaving?"  asked  Whitefield. 

''  Remarkably  well.  Up  to  the  moment  of  my  arrival 
home  there  had  not  been  an  intermission  of  any  kind 
in  the  usual  operations.  It  is  to  me  a  surprising  fact 
that  they  do  not,  apparently,  know,  or  care,  anything 
about  important  events  occurring  around  them.  I  did 
not  even  hear  a  word  of  comment  on  the  appearance  of 
the  fleet  which  passed  the  plantation  on  the  day  of  my 
arrival ! " 

"  I  cannot  explain  the  cause  of  their  want  of  interest 
in  what,  perhaps,  really  concerns  them  so  deeply," 
answered  Whitefield,  "  unless  it  be  on  the  hypothesis 
that  they  consider  the  Federal  successes  as  having  no 
relation  to  their  condition.  In  this  they  may  be  right ; 
it  is  probably  only  an  exchange  of  king  log  for  king 
stork." 


90  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  You  may  be  certain,"  responded  Carew,  ''  the  mat- 
ter will  not  stop  short  of  absolute  and  unconditional 
emancipation  should  the  war  continue  much  longer ; 
indeed,  so  well  satisfied  am  I  that  this  result  is  likely 
to  follow,  I  have  even  contemplated  taking  the  initia- 
tive and  freeing  my  own  slaves  !  " 

Whitefield  had  just  lifted  his  fork,  and  was  on  the 
point  of  depositing  the  food  contained  thereon  in  his 
mouth,  when  this  announcement  reached  his  ears ! 
Without  accomplishing  his  intention,  he  dropped  the 
instrument  on  his  plate  with  a  crash,  and  stared  blankly 
at  our  hero. 

"  Goodness  !  Mr.  Carew  !  "  cried  the  lady,  who  had 
prudently  ordered  the  servant  out  on  seeing  the  turn 
taken  by  the  conversation,  "  you  cannot  possibly  mean 
what  you  have  just  said  !     Free  jout  slaves  ?  " 

"  The  Yank — ,  I  mean  the  Federals,  you  think,  will 
free  all  the  negroes?  Why,  we  shall  be  murdered  in 
our  beds,  the  South  will  be  unfit  to  live  in  !  Oh !  it  is 
too  dreadful  to  think  of !  " 

Whitefield  was  as  unprepared  as  his  wife  for  such  an 
extreme  contingency ;  he  was  appalled  at  the  mere  sug- 
gestion of  such  a  possibility. 

Our  hero  soon  perceived  that  the  minds  of  these 
good  people  were  not  yet  sufficiently  prepared  for  what 
he  had,  for  some  time,  considered  a  foregone  conclusion. 
He  had  made  up  his  mind  that  the  negroes  would  be 
freed ;  emancipation  might  be  gradual,  or  it  might  be 
by  a  sj-^stem  of  compensation  to  the  owners,  but  come 
it  must,  sooner  or  later  I 

He  now  thought  it  best  to  change  the  topic,  by  asking 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  91 

his  hostess  some  questions  as  to  the  markets  and 
supplies  of  provisions  in  the  city.  This  was  neutral 
ground,  and  was  eagerly  caught  at  by  the  lady ;  for, 
aside  from  her  anxiety  to  avoid  political  matters,  it 
gave  her  ample  opportunity  for  the  relation  of  griev- 
ances attendant  upon  supplying  the  wants  of  her 
household. 

"  Everything,"  said  she,  "  is  inordinately  scarce  and 
high.  You  may  perceive,  Mr.  Carew,  from  the  scanty 
table  before  you,  that  it  is  impossible  to  get  much  in 
our  markets ! " 

"  Although  you  have  amply  sufficient  for  my  wants, 
Madam,  yet  I  can  see  that  your  table  is  not  up  to  the 
usual  standard  of  my  epicurean'  friend,  your  husband." 
"Indeed,  you  are  right,"  replied  the  lady,  with 
vivacity ;  "  Mr.  Whitefield's  disposition  seems  to  have 
undergone  an  alteration,  with  the  times,  I  suppose,  for, 
from  being  formerly  amiable,  and  contented  with  what 
was  set  before  him,  I  have  now  a  perfect  bear  to  deal 
with !  " 

"My  dear!"  interjected  Whitefield,  "you  know  I 
ahvays  have  a  good  appetite,  and  you  must  remember 
that  even  the  most  inoffensive  animals  become  danger- 
ous when  in  a  starving  condition,  such  as  I  have  been 
in  for  the  last  six  months !  " 

"  I  do  the  best  I  can  for  you,  love,"  responded  the 
good  wife,  pacified  by  his  meek  answer.  ''  But,  if  it 
were  not  for  the  supply  of  fowls  and  vegetables  of  our 
own  raising  —  thanks  to  my  husband's  exertions  — " 
darting  a  graceful  glance  at  him,  "  I  do  not  see  how  we 
would  get  along." 


92  THE    EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

By  this  time  breakfast  was  over,  and  on  Carew's 
expressing  a  desire  to  set  out  for  the  contemplated  visit 
to  the  Commanding  General,  Whitefield  professed  a 
readiness  to  attend  him. 

Bidding  adieu  therefore  to  his  hostess,  and  accepting 
her  invitation  to  call  again,  Carew  and  Whitefield  took 
their  departure. 

They  had  to  walk  nearl}'  two  miles  to  the  headquar- 
ters of  the  military,  as  during  this  and  the  few  follow- 
ing days,  there  were  no  public  conveyances ;  in  fact, 
there  was  scarcely  any  use  for  them,  as  the  people  kept 
in  doors. 

Arriving  at  the  huge,  unfinished,  and  almost  ruined 
custom-house  building,  they  were  halted  by  the  sentries 
and  detained  for  inspection  by  the  officer  of  the  day. 
This  individual,  however,  remembered  Whitefield,  who 
had  been  there  several  times  already,  and  as  civilians 
were,  up  to  this  period,  but  rarel}^  seen  in  that  vicinity, 
the}^  were  speedily  admitted  within  the  building,  the 
officer  meanwliile  taking  their  cards  in  to  the  General. 

In  a  few  moments,  occupied  by  the  soldiers  in  staring 
silently  at  the  two  adventurers,  an  Orderly  approached, 
and  motioned  to  them  to  follow,  leading  the  way  up 
stairs.  After  wandering  and  stumbling  through  a  laby- 
rinth of  dark  passages,  they  were  finally  ushered  into  a 
small  corner  room,  with  a  vaulted  ceiling,  which,  lit- 
tered as  it  was  with  military  accoutrements  of  every 
description,  presented  more  the  appearance  of  a  prison 
cell  than  the  headquarters  of  the  chief  of  a  victorious 
army  in  the  heart  of  a  captured  city.  This  impression 
was  heightened  by  the  remains  of  a  meal  on  the  large 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  93 

table  at  wliich  the  General,  for  it  was  he,  was  seated, 
and  of  which  he  had  evidently  just  been  partaking. 

"  Be  seated,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  briefly.  "  Orderly, 
chairs  1 "  and  he  began  to  write. 

"  Humph,"  thought  Carew,  "  this  man  is  not  over- 
whelming with  courtesy  ; "  then  he  whispered  to  White- 
field,  "I  thought  you  were  acquainted  with  him?" 
The  other  did  not  reply,  but  looked  very  uncomfort- 
able. 

''Now,  Mr.  Whitefield,"  said  Butler,  "what  can  I 
do  for  you  this  morning  ?  " 

Thus  saying,  he  handed  some  papers  to  the  Orderly, 
who  gave  the  military  salute  and  vanished,  leaving  them 
alone. 

Mr.  Whitefield  then  introduced  his  friend,  giving,  at 
the  same  time,  a  short  account  of  him  and  his  recent 
adventures. 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  Butler,  turning  to  our  hero,  "  what 
do  you  propose  doing  ?  " 

Our  hero  briefly  and  coldly  replied  — having  in  this 
short  interview  formed  a  dislike  for  the  man  —  that  he 
had  called  with  the  intention  of  giving  his  adherence 
to  the  Government,  and  desired,  in  addition,  to  have 
some  assurance  that  his  property  would  not  be  disturbed 
in  any  respect. 

Butler's  countenance  brightened  at  once,  and  rising 
from  his  chair  seized  Carew,  who  also  rose,  by  the  hand, 
saying: 

"  That  protection  you  shall  have.  You,  sir,  are  the 
only  planter,  and  with  the  exception  of  our  friend,  Mr. 
Whitefield,  the  only  citizen  of  this  State,  who  has  come 


94  THE     EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

forward  with  professions  of  loyalty;  it  is  a  day  to  be 
marked  with  a  white  stone !  May  I  hope,"  continued 
he,  interrogatively,  "that  you  are  the  precursor  of.  many 
others  of  your  class  ?  The  sugar  planters  of  Louisiana 
have  always  been  conservative,  and  I  believe  that  the 
majority  entered  the  rebel  army  against  their  inclina- 
tions ! " 

Carew  replied  that  he  could  only  speak  for  himself. 
He  had  had  no  opportunities  of  conversing  with  many 
planters  within  the  past  few  months ;  and,  finally,  that 
he  believed  a  ready  acquiescence  in  the  inevitable  on 
their  part  Avould  depend  very  much  on  the  course  which 
the  government  might  see  fit  to  adopt  towards  them. 

To  this  Butler  responded  that  he  would  see  they  had 
no  opportunities  for  taking  any  course  other  than  that 
of  submission.  The  State  was  a  conquered  province ; 
the  Mississippi  river  would  be  at  once  opened  to  com- 
merce throughout  its  entire  length,  and  the  rebellion 
was  now  practically  at  an  end ! 

"  I  think,  sir,  you  are  too  sanguine.  The  war  will, 
doubtless,  soon  be  ended  if  the  river  is  kept  open. 
The  only  way  to  do  this  will  be  for  you  to  take  imme- 
diate steps  to  occupy  and  fortify  a  few  of  the  military 
points,  such  as  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  Fort  Adams,  etc." 

''Why,  sir,"  said  Butler,  much  astonished,  "do  you 
not  know  that  Captain  Farragut  is  now  on  his  way  up 
the  river  for  this  very  purpose?" 

"  I  am  aware,"  responded  our  hero,  "  of  this  fact, 
but  I  saw  no  troops.  He  had  only  a  squadron  consist- 
ing of  six  vessels." 

"  Why,  what  more  would  you  have  ? "   quickly  said 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  95 

Butler,  showing  some  degree  of  annoyance  and  embar- 
rassment.    ''  It  is  a  naval  expedition." 

''  I  mean  simply  this.  The  vessels  will  suffice  for  the 
present,  but  in  two  or,  at  most,  three  months,  the  river 
will  begin  to  fall.  These  deep,  sea-going  ships  will 
then  be  compelled  to  return  to  the  vicinit}^  of  New  Or- 
leans. The  rebels  will  seize  this  opportunity  to  fortify 
the  most  important  points,  and  you  will  have  to  attack 
next  year  and  recapture,  with  much  loss  of  time  and 
blood,  what  is  now  your  own." 

Butler  appeared  struck  by  these  observations,  and 
said  he  would  take  them  into  consideration. 

After  a  little  more  conversation  not  worthy  of  record 
the  visitors  rose  to  depart.  Butler  then  invited  them 
both  to  call  frequently,  stating  that  he  would  give 
orders  which  would  allow  them  free  access  in  future  to 
his  presence. 

We  must  not  omit  to  mention  that  Carew  received  at 
this  interview  a  document,  which  gave  him  full  protec- 
tion in  person  and  property  within  the  limits  under 
Butler's  command.  This  proved  to  be  of  great  service 
in  carrying  on  his  affairs. 

The  two  friends  maintained  a  discreet  silence  until 
they  emerged  from  the  gloomy  portals  of  the  granite 
building,  doubtless  bearing  in  mind  the  old  adage  that 
w^alls  have  ears. 

Once  on  the  street,  however,  their  tongues  soon 
found  utterance. 

Whitefield  said:  "We  have  been  looking  after  the 
interests  of  the  country  all  the  morning.  Suppose  now, 
by  way  of  variety,  that  we  look  to  the  interests  of  the 


96  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

creature,  vulgarly  yclept  number  one  ?  For  my  part,  I 
am  ravenously  hungry,  and  although  my  good  wife  finds 
such  difficulty  in  supplying  our  table,  I  know  of  a  quiet 
little  restaurant  in  the  French  portion  of  the  town,  not 
very  distant,  where  a  few  delicacies  are  yet  to  be  found. 
Though  I  must  admit,"  continued  he,  with  a  groan, 
"that  the  prices  are  high — yes,  devilish  high!  I 
sincerely  hope  Butler  will  carry  out  his  design  without 
the  delay  of  opening  the  river,  and  thus  cheapen  our 
markets." 

"  I  am  not  particularly  hungry,"  answered  Carew  to 
this  rambling  of  his  friend,  "but  will  go  with  you,  pro- 
vided you  will  stop  with  me  for  a  few  moments  at  my 
bank.     I  am  out  of  funds." 

"Certainly.  What  institution  is  it?  Would  it  not 
do  as  Avell  to  get  our  dinner  first?  'Tis  ill  waiting  on 
an  empty  stomach,  you  know." 

"It  is  the  Bank  of  Louisiana,"  said  Carew. 

"  Oh,  the  old  Ajax  I  Long  may  it  remain  to  do 
honor  to  its  ancient  namesake.  It  is  but  a  couple  of 
blocks  out  of  our  wa}'.  So,  if  you  like,  we  will  stop 
there  at  once.  But,  seriously,  I  hope  you  have  no  very 
great  sum  on  deposit  in  this  bank.  It  is  asserted  among 
the  knowing  ones  that  they  sent  all  of  their  specie, 
amounting  to  more  than  two  millions  of  dollars,  into 
the  Confederacy  on  hearing  of  the  passage  of  the  fleet 
by  the  forts.  Should  this  prove  true,  it  will  go  hard 
with  them  when  generall}^  known." 

"You  alarm  me  exceedingly,"  quickly  answered 
Carew.  "I  have  more  than  sixty  thousand  dollars 
there  at  this  moment.  Are  you  sure  of  the  truth  of 
what  you  have  stated  ?  " 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  97 

"  I  am  quite  sure  of  it.  This  is  a  serious  matter.  If 
you  do  not  act  promptly,  you  may  lose  the  whole  of 
this  large  sum.  My  advice  is  that,  instead  of  taking 
out  only  a  small  amount,  as  you  intended  for  imme- 
diate use,  you  should  withdraw  your  entire  balance 
immediately.  I  will  accompany  you,  if  you  like,  and 
assist  in  carrying  so  large  a  sum.  You  will  have  to 
take  it  in  Confederate  money,  you  know,  for  they  have 
no  gold  or  silver." 

"  This  is  startling  news  !"  responded  our  hero.  "  I 
can  scarcely  realize  the  risk  I  am  running.  What  shall 
I  do  with  such  a  sum  of  money  ?  Where  can  I  put  it  ? 
Are  the  other  banks  in  a  better  position  ?" 

"I  doubt  them  all,"  said  Whitefield.  '*I  have  a 
good  safe  at  my  house,  which  is  at  your  service.  You 
can  have  one  of  the  interior  vaults,  with  its  key,  and  it 
will  be  safer  than  any  of  these  banks.  Besides,  as  you 
will  get  nothing  but  Confederate  mone}^  for  your  check, 
it  is  best  that  you  invest  it  at  once,  for  in  a  short  time 
it  will  be  worthless." 

"  I  will  take  your  advice,"  said  Carew.  "  Let  us  go 
to  the  bank  immediately.  I  am  all  anxiety.  I  do  not 
remember  the  exact  balance,  however." 

"  That  is  nothing.  The  teller  will  inform  you  what 
it  is,  and  you  can  get  a  blank  check  from  him  and  fill 
it  out.  Come.  I  am  as  anxious  as  you  can  be,"  con- 
tinued Whitefield,  "  to  have  this  affair  settled.  It  has 
quite  spoiled  my  appetite." 

"  Oh,  that  will  soon  recover.  After  we  have  attended 
to  this  and  locked  the  money  in  your  safe  until  to-mor- 
row, you  must  let  me  be  your  host ;  and  if  you  will 


98  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

point  out  this  restaurant,  I  will  give  you  the  best  dinner 
the  town  affords." 

"Well,"  said  Whitefield,  "I  wall  take  the  dinner  by 
way  of  a  fee  and  consider  that  I  have  richly  earned  it." 

They  got  the  money,  locked  it  up  in  Whitefield's 
safe  and  then  went  to  dinner. 

After  the  meal,  which  we  will  not  describe  further 
than  by  stating  that  Carew  placed  his  friend  in  a  con- 
dition, as  he  himself  said,  of  perfect  happiness  by  giving 
him  carte  hlariche.  As  Whitefield  was  a  famous  good 
liver,  and,  furthermore,  as  it  was  the  best  restaurant  in 
town,  and  as  money  will  always  in  some  mysterious 
manner  procure  ever3'thing  under,  apparently,  some- 
times impossible  circumstances,  it  is  only  necessary  to 
say  they  had  a  perfectly  satisfactory  dinner.  And  now, 
after  all  this  circumlocution,  we  will  return  to  say  what 
we  had  begun  at  the  head  of  this  paragraph,  viz.: 
that  after  the  meal  the  two  friends  adjourned  to  Carew's 
house,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  the  evening, 
which  was  principally  taken  up  by  surmises  as  to  the 
best  mode  of  investing  the  money  wliich  Carew^  had 
taken  from  the  bank.  As  Whitefield  had  told  him,  it 
was  paid — not  without  some  hesitation  on  the  part  of 
the  officials,  who  w^ere  evidently  loth  to  part  with  so 
large  a  sum  —  in  Confederate  money.  This  was  be- 
ginning to  depreciate  rapidly  in  value,  though,  by 
judicious  management,  bargains  could  yet  be  had  in  the 
demoralized  state  of  affairs  which  existed. 

After  considerable  discussion,  Carew  finally  decided 
upon  investing  the  whole  sum  in  sugar.  This  he  accord- 
ingly did  on  the  next  day,  paying  cash,  and  putting  the 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  99 

hogsheads  into  warehouse  until  the  port  was  opened, 
which  event  happened  within  the  ensuing  month.  He 
then  shipped  his  purchase  to  New  York,  along  with  the 
crop  from  Court  Lodge.  The  price  having  advanced 
materially  in  the  meantime,  the  investment  realized  a 
very  large  sum  for  our  hero. 


100  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A    SLIGHTED    HOST. 

UP  to  this  period,  with  the  brilliant  exceptions  of 
Shiloh  and  New  Orleans,  the  Union  arms  had  met 
with  naught  but  checks  and  reverses.  From  the  battle 
of  Manassas,  now  over  a  year  since,  the  loyalists  had  to 
bear  a  constant  series  of  ill  tidings,  which  followed  each 
other  in  rapid  succession,  until  even  the  stoutest  hearts 
began  to  despair  of  the  Union. 

With  Shiloh,  however,  the  cloud  began  to  lighten, 
and  speedily  on  the  heels  of  this  victory  came  the  cap- 
ture of  New  Orleans.  A  paean  of  joy  was  shouted 
north  of  the  Potomac.  It  was  joined  by  the  feeble 
hurrahs  of  the  few  loyal  men  still  left  in  the  South. 
"  Now,"  thought  these  latter,  in  the  first  glow  of  tri- 
umph, "now  does  our  sun  shine  brightly  forth;  now 
are  our  troubles  in  the  deep  bosom  of  the  ocean 
buried!" 

It  indeed  seemed  that  the  end  was  near.  With  the 
leading  city  of  the  South  in  their  hands;  with  the 
Mississippi  river  in  their  possession,  cutting  the  rebel- 
lious country  in  twain ;  with  one  of  the  great  Southern 
armies  in  full  retreat,  it  was  but  fair  to  suppose  that 
peace  would  soon  follow,  either  by  submission  on  the 
part  of  the  Southern  leaders  or  by  their  complete 
annihilation. 

These   brilliant   anticipations    on    the    part    of    the 


THE     EAllL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  101 

Northern  people  were  fully  justified   by   the  circum 
stances,  as  above  related ;  and,    had   they  been  more 
fortunate  or  more  judicious  in  the  selection  of  a  Gen- 
eral to  command    the    important   Department    of  the 
Gulf,  all  their  hopes  would  have  been  realized. 

Farragut,  in  the  meantime,  advanced  as  high  up  the 
river  as  Vicksburg  with  his  entire  squadron.  Thence, 
with  one  or  two  of  the  smaller  and  lighter  vessels,  he 
ascended  to  the  vicinity  of  Memphis,  and  penetrated, 
in  addition,  several  of  the  tributaries  of  the  great  river 
in  search  of  rebel  vessels.  He  did  not  meet,  however, 
with  the  smallest  opposition  by  land  or  by  water. 

This  statement  shows  conclusively  that,  had  Butler 
left  a  regiment  or  two  in  charge  of  New  Orleans,  he 
might  have  accompanied  the  naval  expedition  with  the 
remainder  of  his  army,  and  forestalled  the  Confederates 
by  throwing  up  batteries  at  Vicksburg  and  other 
important  points.  Farragut  did  all,  and  more  than  all, 
of  his  duty.  He  remained  with  his  heavy  ships  at 
Vicksburg  until  the  falling  waters  of  the  Mississippi 
warned  him  of  danger.  Even  then  he  did  not  return  at 
once  to  the  lower  river,  but  dropped  down,  as  it  Avere, 
step  by  step,  thus  showing,  by  the  slowness  and  reluct- 
ance of  his  retreat,  the  importance  which  he  attached 
to  keeping  a  force  in  the  neighborhood  of  these  strategic 
points  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  the  erection  of 
fortifications  by  the  rebels. 

Butler  was,  as  we  stated  before,  still  lingering  in  New 
Orleans,  and  did  so,  until  Farragut  had  time  to  com- 
municate with  the  government  at  Washington,  detailing 
the  actual  position  of  affairs  and  pointing  out  the  dan- 


102  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

gers  which  would  result  from  continued  neglect  on  the 
part  of  the  army  to  co-operate  with  the  navy. 

The  government  saw  clearly  the  error  which  was 
committed,  and  sent  immediate  and  imperative  orders 
to  Butler  to  move  up  the  river. 

In  those  days,  however,  communication  between  New 
Orleans  and  Washington  was  only  to  be  had  by  a  sea 
voyage  of  about  a  week's  duration.  Thus  much  pre- 
cious time  had  been  lost  —  so  much,  indeed,  that  the 
river  had  subsided  a  number  of  feet  from  its  highest 
point.  The  navy,  therefore,  could  not  render  the  same 
efficient  service  which  it  could  have  given  a  month 
earlier.     The  golden  opportunity  was  lost ! 

It  is  scarcely  worth  while  to  repeat  the  well-worn 
tale  of  Butler's  tardy  march  up  the  river.  When  he 
reached  Vicksburg,  it  was  already  fortified  by  the 
rebels.  He  had  consequently  to  sit  down  and  attempt 
to  capture  what  had  been  his  for  the  trouble  of  taking 
only  one  little  month  before.  Failing  in  his  assault,  he 
next  compelled  his  exhausted  troops  to  encamp  on  the 
swampy  point  opposite  the  town,  and,  amidst  malaria, 
under  the  fierce  beams  of  a  tropical  sun,  he  began 
digging  a  , canal  across  this  point  for  the  purpose  of 
flanking  Vicksburg.  This  scheme  might  have  been 
reasonable  enough  if  projected  and  carried  out  as  the 
river  began  to  rise,  thus  gaining  the  assistance  of  its 
powerful  current,  which  would  gradually  increase  in 
intensity  and  volume  with  the  progress  of  the  under- 
taking. Instead  of  doing  this  or  waiting  for  another 
season,  Butler  began  to  excavate  his  canal  just  as  the 
river  was  falling,  so  that  he  not  only  could  not  get  the 


THE     EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  103 

current  to  assist  him  with  its  great  volume,  but,  when 
the  canal  was  well  under  way,  the  water  had  fallen 
hopelessly  below  the  greatest  depth  to  which  he  could 
expect  to  penetrate.  Thus  did  he  sacrifice  much  time, 
money  and,  what  was  most  deplorable,  many  hundreds 
of  his  soldiers. 

In  the  West,  Grant  had  for  some  mysterious  reason, 
not  followed  up  his  victory  at  Shiloh ;  while  in  the  East, 
McClellan  had  sustained  another  reverse.  The  brilliant 
prospects  of  a  speedy  and  glorious  termination  of  the 
war  were  now  tarnished,  and  once  more  did  the  clouds 
lower  over  the  political  horizon.  The  influx  of  volun- 
teers up  to  this  time,  had  been  sufficient  to  maintain 
the  standard  of  the  Union;  but  defeat  and  despondency 
began  to  supervene,  checking  the  patriotic  impulse.  To 
further  account  for  this  ebbing  of  the  popular  wave, 
must  also  be  attributed  a  secret  feeling,  that  to  incom- 
petency if  not  to  treachery,  as  well,  were  the  people 
hidebted  for  the  failure  of  their  efforts. 

Be  all  this  however  asnt  may,  the  great  fact  remains, 
staring  the  Government  in  the  face,  that  if  the  war  was 
to  be  continued,*  it  would  be  necessary  to  follow  the 
example  of  the  South,  and  resort  to  conscription  for 
filling  the  depleted  ranks  of  the  army.  This  course 
was  adopted,  and  was  succeeded  by  acts  of  popular 
violence  and  riots  throughout  the  North — notably  in 
the  city  of  New  York.  These  disturbances  will  be 
slightly  commented  upon  in  our  next  chapter.  In  the 
meantime,  we  must  return  to  New  Orleans  and  endeavor 
to  give  a  slight  sketch  of  society,  and  the  condition  of 
affairs  in  the  autumn  of  1863. 


104  THE    EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

The  once  gay  city  was  now  in  mourning.  Its 
gallant  youth  were  bravely  battling  on  distant  and 
ghastl}'  fields  for  what  they  believed  to  be  the  right. 
Nobly  and  brilliantly  did  they  struggle,  and  although 
we  cannot  sympathize  with  the  cause  they  advocated, 
still  it  is  in  our  power  to  contribute  our  feeble  quota 
in  praise  of  their  heroism. 

Nor  do  w^e  hesitate  to  say,  that  if  the  soldiers  of  the 
Southern  armies  had  been  as  well  commanded  as  they 
deserved,  the  issue  might  have  been  terminated  very 
differently.  We  do  not  mean  to  insinuate  that  they 
would  have  triumphed,  but  they  might  have  obtained 
much  better  terms  —  accompanied  by  a  gradual  and 
perhaps  compensated  emancipation  of  the  slaves.  Such 
a  result  over  the  one  really  achieved,  would  have  been 
more  satisfactory  to  the  South,  and  of  far  greater  bene- 
fit to  the  whole  country. 

The  city  was  now  crowded  with  hordes  of  adventu- 
rers from  every  quarter  of  the  North.  They  looked 
upon  it  as  an  El  Dorado,  and  as  their  legitimate  prey. 
The  general  in  command  was  surrounded  by  rapacious 
satellites,  who  urged  him  on  to  commit  many  lawless 
acts  of  oppression  against  the  unresisting  and  defense- 
less people.  But  tliis  is  too  sad  a  tale  to  weary  our 
readers  with;  we  shall  not  therefore  dwell  on  these 
subjects. 

The  feeling  against  Butler  became  so  strong  that 
man}^  of  the  citizens  of  Louisiana  who  had  been  dis- 
posed to  acquiesce  in  the  inevitable,  or  at  any  rate  to 
remain  neutral,  were  now  driven  from  their  homes  by 
fires  and  confiscations,  to  take  refuge  within  the  remain- 
ing and  yet  spacious  limits  of  the  Confederacy. 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  105 

Carew,  during  this  period,  remained  a  passive  and 
disgusted  observer  of  events.  Beyond  making  several 
calls  upon  the  General  since  his  first  interview,  he  had 
avoided  all  conversation  with  him  or  his  surroundinofs. 

Wliitefield,  on  the  other  hand,  still  maintained  a 
friendly  intercourse  with  Butler.  He  was  a  peace 
maker  by  disposition,  and  desired,  as  much  as  possible, 
to  throw  oil  upon  the  troubled  waters.  Big  with 
the  idea,  he  called  upon  Carew  and  stated  that  he  had 
conceived  the  plan  of  giving  a  dinner  to  Farragut, 
Butler,  and  a  few  of  their  officers.  To  this  list  he 
proposed  to  add  several  of  the  leading  loyalists,  a 
number  of  whom  had  lately  come  forward  and  made 
themselves  known. 

After  some  consideration,  Carew  said :  ''  Six  months 
ago  your  idea  would  have  been  excellent.  I  fear  it  is 
now  too  late ;  the  seeds  of  dissension  and  distrust  have 
been  sown  and  fostered.  I  doubt  whether  many  of 
the  gentlemen  you  have  named  would  accept  your 
invitation." 

Wliitefield  was  however  so  enthusiastic,  that  he  was 
not  to  be  daunted,  but  proceeded  to  expatiate  upon  the 
beauties  of  his  conception  and  his  faith  in  its  complete 
success. 

"  There  is  nothing,"  continued  he,  "  like  a  good 
dinner  to  soften  men's  hearts  and  bring  them  together." 

"-  Well,"  repeated  the  other,  "  I  see  your  mind  is 
made  up ;  when  and  where,  therefore,  do  you  propose 
to  have  this  grand  reconciliation  of  the  wolves  —  I  beg 
pardon,  the  lions  and  the  lambs  ?  " 

"  I  thought  of  fixing  upon  some  time  next  week.     I 


106  THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

suppose  the  General's  conscience  will  have  to  be  con- 
sulted as  to  the  exact  day ;  the  place  is  to  be  Gelpin's 
restaurant." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  do  not  intend  giving  so 
mixed  an  entertainment  as  this  must  be  at  your  house," 
remarked  Carew. 

"  Oh !  that  will  not  do  at  all,"  quickly  responded 
Whitefield;  "for  aside  from  other  reasons,  my  wife 
would  not  like  it." 

Carew  smiled  slightly  at  this,  but  prudently  refrained 
from  comment. 

Whitefield  was  now  in  his  glory,  and  his  time  was 
fully  taken  up,  between  the  restaurant  and  his  office. 
Invitations  were  elegantly  engraved  for  the  occasion, 
with  blanks  to  be  filled  in  with  the  names  of  the 
guests — everything  and  every  one  was  to  be  en  grand 
tenue.  Butler  was  consulted,  and  an  early  day  in  the 
following  Aveek  was  pitched  upon  for  the  entertain- 
ment ;  the  invitations  were  issued,  and  so  far  all  went 
well. 

For  the  ensuing  four  days  after  sending  out  the  invi- 
tations, not  a  word  had  been  heard  from  any  of  the 
guests,  of  whom  there  were  to  be  about  tliirty.  White- 
field  was  a  trifle  uneasy  at  .this  rather  ominous  silence, 
and  on  communicating  his  fears  to  Carew,  was  answered 
to  the  effect  that  no  news  was  good  news ;  the  omission 
to  send  an  answer  to  a  dinner  invitation  was  in  fact  an 
acceptance,  and  that  two  of  his  guests,  viz :  Butler  and 
himself, -having  accepted  verbally,  there  was  no  neces- 
sity for  hearing  further  from  them.  This  was  all  very 
reassurino^  to  the   host;   but   our  hero  thought  it  did 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  107 

look  rather  queer  that  no  answer  had  as  yet  been 
received,  for  before  sending  them  to  their  respective 
destinations,  Whitefield,  in  the  pride  of  his  heart,  had 
submitted  them  to  Carew's  inspection.  Our  hero, 
rightly  thinking  it  important  that  the  host  should  know 
in  advance  whether  any  persons  would  decline  to 
attend,  had,  without  being  observed  by  Whitefield, 
added  these  cabalistic  letters  to  the  bottom  of  each 
note:  R.  S.  V.  P.  The  English  of  which  is,  as  our 
readers  are  well  aware:  answer  if  you  please.  Carew 
now  concluded  that  most  of  the  gentlemen  felt  them- 
selves between  the  horns  of  a  dilemma,  not  knowing 
whether  it  would  be  better  policy  to  accept  or  decline 
the  proffered  hospitality. 

On  the  evening  before  the  day  fixed  for  the  great 
event,  Whitefield  rushed  into  our  hero's  house  in  a 
state  of  agitation. 

"  See  !  "  cried  he,  "  here  are  no  less  than  eleven  notes 
declining  the  honor,  etc.,  etc.,  of  dining  with  me 
to-morrow.  Ten  are  from  civilians,  but  the  most  mor- 
tifying of  all  is  from  Farragut.  What  can  it  mean  ? 
and  what  am  I  to  do?"  cried  the  distressed  lawyer. 
"  It  is  too  late  to  invite  others,  and  I  fear  Butler  will 
be  offended  at  their  absence." 

"  That  will  not  be  through  any  fault  of  yours,"  said 
Carew,  "  and  the  dinner  ma}'  yet  prove  a  success." 

"  It  is  an  outrage  !  "  cried  Whitefield,  "  and  such  a 
diinier,  too.  It  will  be  partly  wasted,  but  how  shall 
I  break  this  to  Butler  ?  " 

"  I  would  not  say  a  Avord  about  it,"  answered  our 
hero.  "  You  intended  puttiug  the  name  of  each  guest 
on    his   plate,  that   there    might   be    no   confusion   as 


108  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

to  seats.  Well,  I  would  carry  out  this  plan;  leave 
each  of  these  names  on  their  plates,  and  let  Butler 
see  for  himself  who  declined  the  invitation  to  the 
dinner.  These  gentlemen  have  been  so  tardy  in  send- 
ing answers,  that  you  have  a  right  to  retaliate.  I 
would  not,  however,"  pursued  he,  ''  adopt  this  course 
with  Farragut,  but  would  instead,  simply  show  Butler 
his  letter  to  you." 

This  advice  was  adopted.  The  eventful  day  and 
hour  found  Whitefield  supported  by  our  hero,  ready  to 
receive  his  guests.  At  the  precise  moment  fixed,  the 
General  with  his  officers  arrived  in  a  body,  all  in  full 
uniform,  creating  quite  a  sensation  in  the  street  as  they 
drove  up.  On  taking  their  seats  at  the  table,  the 
military  gentlemen  could  not  avoid  remarking  the 
vacant  chairs.  The  General  was  obviously  chagrined, 
and  maintained  for  some  moments  a  gloomy  silence. 
At  length,  rousing  himself  with  a  forced  attempt  at 
gayety,  and  after  inquiring  of  his  host  as  to  the  cause 
of  so  many  absentees,  he  remarked,  that  it  reminded 
him  of  an  anecdote  relating  to  President  Lincoln,  when 
placed  in  a  somewhat  similar  predicament,  and  who  said 
on  that  occasion :  "  This  is  very  much  like  the  play  of 
Hamlet,  with  Hamlet  omitted." 

"  I  expected  to  meet  a  number  of  the  citizens,  but 
since  they  will  not  come,  we  must  e'en  make  the  best 
of  it  and  enjoy  our  dinner."  Thus  sajdng,  he  fell  to 
without  more  ado,  and  soon  apparently  recovered  his 
spirits. 

Poor  Whitefield  was  more  sensitive.  His  pride  was 
wounded,  and  he  vowed  mortally  never  to  again  attempt 
the  role  of  peace  maker. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  109 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PEACE    AMID    WAR. 

CAREW  now  determined  upon  visiting  the  North, 
in  pursuance  of  a  plan  he  had  projected  some 
time  before  the  events  recounted  in  our  last  chapter. 
Besides  having  business  in  New  York,  he  desired  to 
visit  his  small  property  near  Saratoga,  and  at  the  same 
time  drink  the  waters  of  that  famous  Spa. 

No  other  means  offering,  he  was  compelled  to  take 
passage  on  a  transport  steamer  about  returning  to  New 
York  with  a  number  of  invalid  soldiers.  The  pros- 
pect was  not  enticing,  as  the  vessel  was  small  and  a 
slow  sailer ;  however,  by  giving  a  douceur  to  the  cap- 
tain, our  hero  secured  the  cabin  of  the  latter — a  com- 
modious and  tolerably  comfortable  room  on  the  upper 
deck  —  and  laying  in  an  abundant  supply  of  creature 
comforts,  so  as  to  be  independent  of  the  ship's  stores, 
he  managed  to  get  as  much  comfort  as  was  possible 
under  the  circumstances.  Nothing  occurred  worthy  of 
mention,  beyond  noting  the  tediousness  of  the  passage, 
and  that  the  ship  arrived  safely  at  New  York  in  due 
course  of  time. 

With  only  one  day's  halt  in  this  city,  Carew  took  the 
day  boat  for  Albany,  enjoying  the  magnificent  and 
familiar  scenery  of  the  Hudson  more  than  he  had  ever 
done  before,  owing  perhaj^s,  to  his  long  residence  in 
the  low  flat  country  about  New  Orleans.     Arrived  iu 


110  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

Saratoga,  he  took  a  carriage  for  liis  residence,  about 
two  miles  from  town,  on  the  Ballston  road,  where  he 
was  made  comfortable  by  the  honest  old  servants,  man 
and  wife,  who  had  kept  the  house  for  his  father  before 
him.  Carew  had  not  visited  the  place  for  nearly  three 
years,  but  found  it  in  as  neat  and  perfect  a  condition 
as  though  he  had  never  left  it.  The  property  did  not 
exceed  ten  acres  in  extent;  half  of  this  area  was  dis- 
posed about  the  house,  and  planted  in  trees  and  shrubs, 
the  remaining  five  acres  were  tilled  by  the  man,  who, 
with  the  assistance  of  his  wife,  supplied  their  frugal 
wants,  and  when  Carew  was  there,  he  had  an  abundance 
of  milk,  eggs,  vegetables  and  poultry  of  his  own  raising. 
The  house,  built  of  wood,  was  small  but  neat;  it  con- 
sisted of  but  five  rooms,  plainly  furnished ;  two  horses 
enabled  the  man  to  plow  the  land  and  keep  everything 
in  order,  and  when  the  master  was  at  home,  they  suf- 
ficed to  take  him  about  the  country  in  his  carry-all. 

Our  hero  had  contemplated  disposing  of  this  prop- 
erty, but  on  communicating  his  idea  to  old  Jake,  the 
poor  fellow  broke  into  loud  lamentations,  in  which  he 
was  joined  by  Hannah.  The  lives  of  this  faithful  pair 
had  passed  on  this  spot  for  twenty  years  like  a  happy 
dream.  It  had  never  occurred  to  their  simple  minds 
that  it  could  have  an  end.  Carew's  father  had  brought 
them  from  England,  and  they  now  leaned  upon  the  son 
with  helpless  dependence. 

"But,"  remonstrated  our  hero,  "I  shall  still  continue 
to  take  care  of  you  both.  You  shall  return  to  the 
plantation  with  me,  and  will  have  less  to  do  there  than 
here ;  besides,  Hannah,  the  climate  is  mild  in  Louisiana, 
and  better  suited  for  your  rheumatism  !  " 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  Ill 

"  Oh,  sir,"  cried  the  poor  creature,  "  don't,  don't 
take  us  to  that  country ;  full  of  nagurs,  rebels,  and 
yeller  faver  !  Jake  and  me  will  soon  die  there  !  " 

"  You  see,  sir,"  chimed  in  Jake,  "  us  hain't  much 
longer  to  live ;  we  hes  been  faithful  sarvents  to  your 
father  and  to  yisself,  sir ;  do  not  turn  us  out  in  our  old 
days ! " 

'*  Well,"  said  Carew,  overpowered  by  these  protesta- 
tions, "  have  it  as  you  will ;  you  shall  not  be  disturbed 
for  the  present,  at  all  events." 

"  Lord  bless  you,  sir,"  cried  Jake,  in  a  transport  of 
joy,  "  you  be  a  rael  chip  of  the  old  'un,  sir." 

"And  Hinny,"  said  old  Hannah,  "ye'll  be  gettin'  a 
bonnie  wife  soome  day,  and  thin  ye'll  want  the  old 
place  agin' ;  for  they  do  tell  it's  unco  bad  livin'  South 
for  leddies  an'  little  ones." 

"Perhaps  you  are  right,  Hannah,"  answered  the 
master,  laughing,  "but  I  see  no  prospect  of  getting  a 
wife  at  present !  " 

"  Oh !  but  you  must  marry,  sir,"  persisted  the  old 
woman,  "  you  be  the  last  of  the  old  name ;  they  used 
to  be  lairds  in  the  old  country;  besides,  what's  to 
become  of  all  the  money  and  lands  if  you  have  na' 
bairns  of  your  ain  to  get  it?" 

"  How  did  you  learn  that  the  family  were  lords  at 
one  time  ?     I  never  heard  this  before  !  " 

"  Whin  I  was  a  wee  ane,  sir,  I  heerd  my  grandfether 
say  so;  he  used  to  say,  sir,  that  the  Carews  were  a 
great  race  in  the  years  gone  by,  an'  held  their  heads  up 
with  any  in  the  land.  Your  f ether,  sir,  was  in  the 
younger  branch,  an'  mebbee  it's  why  he  no  was  the 
laird !  " 


112  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"It  is  all  news  to  me,  Hannah,"  answered  Carew, 
after  a  pause.  "  I  know  the  family  is  a  good  one.  I 
have  our  coat-of-arms  at  home ;  but  you  are  mistaken 
about  the  title." 

"  Your  honor  may  be  right.  You  ken  best ;  but  it's 
a  good  name  for  a'  that,  sir,  an'  you  maun  not  let  it  dee 
out!" 

With  this  parting  shot  the  old  woman  courtesied  and 
disappeared  into  the  kitchen,  whence  issued  sounds  of 
suppressed  laughter  as  she  rejoined  her  husband. 

Amid  the  pressure  of  a  multitude  of  affairs,  this 
conversation  faded  from  Carew's  memory ;  but,  he  had 
occasion  to  recall  it  at  a  later  period. 

Our  hero  spent  nearly  three  months  in  this  quiet 
retreat.  He  varied  the  monotony  by  driving  to  town 
every  day,  drinking  the  water,  and  dropping  in  at  the 
different  hotels,  where  he,  now  and  then,  came  across 
acquaintances. 

These  he  would  sometimes  invite  out  to  his  house, 
or  w^ould  organize  jaunts  to  the  Lake,  and  to  the  vari- 
ous springs  which  abound  within  a  radius  of  ten  miles 
from  Saratoga,  and,  on  one  occasion  he  extended  his 
peregrinations  as  far  as  Lake  George.  In  this  manner 
was  the  summer  well  nigh  spent,  and  he  was  beginning 
to  think  it  time  to  prepare  for  a  return  to  New  York, 
and  attend  to  his  business  there  prior  to  a  return 
to  Court  Lodge,  where  he  thought  of  spending  the 
winter. 

Just  as  he  had  arrived  at  this  determination,  he 
received  a  telegram  from  the  house  in  New  York  with 
wliich  he  had  business,  informing  him  that  serious  riots 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  113 

had  broken  out  there,  owing  to  the  unpopularity  of  the 
conscription  laws,  which  were  now  being  put  into 
operation.  The  dispatch,  a  lengthy  one,  urged  his 
immediate  return  to  the  city,  as  it  was  feared  the  com- 
motion might  extend  over  the  whole  country,  and  his 
communications  might,  in  that  case,  be  cut  off,  thus 
keeping  him  a  prisoner  at  Saratoga. 

Acting  promptly  on  this  advice,  Carew  at  once 
departed.  It  proved  fortunate  that  he  had  lost  no 
time,  for  as  the  train  crossed  the  bridge  at  Spuyten 
Duyvel  creek,  a  detachment  of  the  rioters  tore  up  the 
track,  making  bon-fires  with  the  ties.  This  was  the 
last  train  over  the  Hudson  River  railway  for  some 
days. 

Our  hero  took  quarters  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel. 
It  was  quite  full  of  guests  when  he  arrived,  but  within 
a  few  hours  there  were  not  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty 
left,  the  others  having  incontinently  departed  in  conse- 
quence of  a  rumor  which  was  being  circulated,  to  the 
effect  that  a  large  body  of  men  were  approaching  from 
the  lower  part  of  the  city,  to  sack  and  destroy  the 
Hotel  and  fashionable  residences  of  the  wealthy  on 
Fifth  avenue.  Carew  was  incredulous  when  he  first 
heard  this  report,  but  on  descending  from  his  room  it 
was  repeated,  and  on  applying  at  the  office,  he  found 
the  proprietors  in  the  utmost  consternation  over  the 
expected  assault. 

Carew,  who  was  well  known  to  them,  w\as  at  once 

taken  into  the  council.     He  advised  the  instant  closing 

of  the  great  building,  and  began  by  directing  several 

of  the  panic  stricken  servants,  who  were  standing  about 

7 


114  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

the  corridors  in  groups,  to  make  barricades  with  the 
baggage — left  by  the  guests,  and  which  lay  in  a  huge 
pile  in  the  hall — by  disposing  it  against  the  large  doors 
at  each  entrance  to  the  house. 

He  then  inquired  of  one  of  the  proprietors  why  they 
had  not  applied  to  General  Wool,  then  in  command  of 
the  department,  for  protection  ? 

In  reply,  it  was  stated  that  the}^  had  done  so,  but 
ineffectually,  as  the  small  body  of  troops  in  the  city 
was  needed  to  hold  the  defenses ;  indeed,  it  was  feared 
that  the  General  had  not  a  sufficient  number  of  men 
for  the  security  of  his  own  person  in  his  headquarters 
at  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  so  suddenly  had  the  danger 
arisen- and  progressed. 

"  Gen.  Wool,"  thought  Carew,  meditating,  then 
aloud,  to  the  proprietor  with  whom  he  had  been  con- 
versing, "  Is  there  not  a  Colonel  Jones  on  his  staff  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  was  the  response.  "  Colonel  J.  J.  Jones,  of 
New  Jersey,  is  the  Chief  of  Staff." 

"  In  that  event,"  quickly  cried  our  hero,  "  I  can 
confidently  assure  you  of  protection,  if  it  is  within  the 
bounds  of  possibility.  Colonel  Jones  is  my  friend ;  I 
will  go  to  him  at  once.     Order  a  carriage." 

It  was,  however,  impossible  to  find  a  vehicle  of  any 
kind.  Even  the  public  conveyances  had  ceased  run- 
ning, and  the  streets  in  the  vicinity  were  silent  and 
deserted. 

In  no  wise  daunted,  Carew  set  out  on  foot,  hoping 
that  he  would  meet  a  conveyance  of  some  kind  on  the 
way.  But  in  this  he  was  disappointed;  not  a  single 
human  being,  or  vehicle  of  am-  description  whatsoever, 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  115 

did  he  encounter  in  the  entire  distance  of  more  than 
one  mile,  which  separates  the  two  hotels,  and  that,  too, 
on  one  of  the  greatest  thoroughfares  in  the  world. 
This  condition  of  affairs  continued  until  he  arrived 
Avithin  a  few  blocks  of  the  St.  Nicholas.  Here  he 
paused  an  instant,  to  recover  breath,  having  gone  over 
half  the  space  at  a  run,  fully  realizing  the  precarious 
position  of  the  great  city,  which  almost  seemed  con- 
scious of  its  impending  doom,  so  silent  and  deserted 
was  its  appearance. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  military  quarters  there  was 
bustle  enough.  Artillery  was  planted  at  all  the  inter- 
secting streets,  with  guns  loaded,  and  the  gunners 
ready  for  action ;  sentinels  were  posted  about,  the  sig- 
nal corps  was  stationed  on  the  roof  of  the  hotel,  busily 
engaged  in  exchanging  signals  with  the  more  distant 
posts ;  mounted  orderlies  were  flying  hither  and  thither, 
at  the  utmost  speed  of  their  horses ;  civilians  were  seen 
dashing  through  the  knots  of  soldiers  who  were  grouped 
about  their  arms,  which  were  stacked  in  the  centre  of 
Broadway,  the  whole  forming  a  picturesque  and  stirring 
scene. 

Bestowing  only  a  passing  glance  on  his  surroundings, 
Carew  pressed  forward,  but  was  soon  halted  by  a  sen- 
tinel, who  demanded  his  business.  A  happy  thought 
suggested  the  expedient  of  declaring  himself  to  be  a 
guest,  stopping  at  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  as  he  sur- 
mised that  it  was  probable  orders  had  been  given  to  let 
them  pass.  This  ruse  proved  successful,  and  our  hero 
was  permitted  to  enter  within  the  lines.  He  now 
speedily  made  his  way  to  the  main  entrance,  and  on 


116  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

entering,  was  fortunate  enough  to  meet  a  young  officer, 
but  an  old  friend  and  former  schoolmate,  in  Captain 
Charles  Andrews,  whom  he  had  not  met  for  several 
years. 

After  a  cordial  recognition  on  the  part  of  both,  Carew 
briefly  made  known  his  errand,  and  at  once  enlisting 
the  hearty  co-operation  of  his  friend,  was  ushered, 
through  his  offices,  into  the  presence  of  Col  Jones, 
who  was,  as  before  stated,  the  chief  of  Gen.  WooFs 
staff. 

This  officer  greeted  our  hero  warmly,  and  promised 
to  do  all  in  his  power  for  him,  but  expressed  a  grave 
doubt  as  to  whether  the  General  would  consent  to 
weaken  his  already  too  feeble  force  to  accomplish  even 
so  important  an  object  as  the  preservation  of  a  wealthy 
section  of  the  city.  Colonel  Jones,  after  having  first 
seen  the  General,  and  communicating  to  him  the  pur- 
port of  Carew's  visit,  led  the  way  into  the  adjoining 
apartment,  where  was  seated  the  venerable  commander, 
who  politely  motioned  his  visitor  to  a  seat,  and  listened 
with  profound  attention  to  his  graphic  account  of  the 
situation  in  the  upper  portion  of  the  city,  shaking  his 
head,  however,  with  a  despondent  air,  as  Carew, 
seconded  by  Colonel  Jones,  urged  the  importance  of 
sending  succor  to  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  and  its 
vicinity. 

He  had  just  finished  stating  his  reasons  for  being 
compelled  to  refuse  the  aid  when  an  officer  rushed  in 
with  a  telegram,  which  the  General  tore  open,  and 
jumping  from  his  seat  he  announced,  with  joyful  alacrity, 
that  two  bri<^ades  of  infantry,  with  several  detachments 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  117 

of  artillery,  were  already  on  their  way  to  New  York 
from  Philadelphia  and  Boston;  the  brigade  from  the 
former  city  might  be  expected  to  arrive  at  any  moment ! 

"  You  shall  have  the  assistance  you  desire,  and  imme- 
diately," cried  he  to  Carew;  at  once  issuing  rapid 
instructions  to  Colonel  Jones,  the  latter  withdrew, 
beckoning  his  friend  to  follow.  Returning  to  the  first 
apartment  where  he  had  received  Carew,  the  Colonel 
informed  him  that  Captain  Andrews,  with  his  company 
of  infantry  and  two  howitzers,  had  been  detached  for 
the  protection  of  Madison  Square  and  its  neighborhood, 
and  that  he  would  establish  his  head-quarters  at  the 
Fifth  Avenue  Hotel ! 

Joyfully  shaking  his  friend  by  the  hand,  and  thank- 
ing him  for  his  prompt  action,  as  well  as  for  the  delicate 
compliment  of  sending  Andrews  in  command,  Carew 
departed,  having  declined  to  remain  with  Jones  at  his 
more  secure  quarters. 

Descending  at  once  to  the  front  of  the  house,  he 
found  Andrew^s  in  the  act  of  forming  his  men,  and  at 
the  same  time  looking  anxiously  about  for  himself. 
Moving  his  company  up  the  street  at  a  double  quick, 
Andrews  left  the  men  in  charge  of  his  junior,  and 
mounting  one  of  the  howitzer  carriages,  and  motioning 
Carew  to  mount  the  other,  he  gave  the  command  to 
move  up  Broadway  at  full  speed. 

As  they  clattered  up  the  spacious  thoroughfare  they 
saw  crowds  of  men,  some  with  lighted  torches,  some 
with  guns  or  pistols  of  every  imaginable  pattern,  and 
others  with  axes,  spades  and  picks,  moving  across, 
towards  Fifth  avenue. 


118  THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

But,  as  Andrews'  orders  were  imperative  to  station 
himself  at  Madison  Square,  he  did  not  attempt  to  inter- 
cept these  rioters,  but  pressed  on  to  his  destination, 
at  which  he  soon  arrived,  followed  shortly  by  the 
infantry,  who  had  lost  no  time,  being  fearful  lest  they 
might  be  surrounded  and  cut  to  pieces  by  the  mob. 

They  did  not  arrive  at  the  hotel  a  moment  too  soon, 
for  they  could  perceive  the  crowd  moving  up  the  Fifth 
avenue  in  dense  masses,  evidently  bent  on  making  good 
their  threats  of  destruction;  indeed,  smoke  could  be 
seen  issuing  from  several  of  the  magnificent  houses 
lining  the  formerly  gay  street. 

Captain  Andrews  placed  both  of  his  guns  on  the 
side  facing  the  mob,  one  trained  down  Fifth  avenue 
and  the  other  facing  Broadway,  taking  care  also  to  post 
men  at  the  streets  on  the  other  side  of,  and  above,  the 
hotel,  to  guard  against  the  possibility  of  surprise  from 
up  town,  though  he  did  not  apprehend  much  from  that 
quarter,  as  the  riot  had  been  organized  down  town,  in 
the  Five  Points.  Having  made  his  dispositions,  he 
calmly  waited  for  the  approach  of  the  rioters,  who  had 
halted  almost  within  range  of  his  guns,  and  were  now 
engaged  in  sacking  the  residence  of  the  mayor. 

Carew's  indignation  at  the  presumptuous  insolence 
of  this  proceeding,  under  the  very  guns,  as  it  were,  of 
the  military,  was  so  great,  that  he  ui^ged  Andrews  to 
march  upon  them.  The  other  was,  however,  too  cir- 
cumspect to  risk  such  an  encounter,  and  explained  the 
great  danger  he  would  have  to  run  of  being  entangled 
in  such  a  narrow  street,  and  of  being  cut  to  pieces. 

"Here,"  he  continued,  "we  are  in  an  open  space, 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIE-LD.  119 

and  can  fire  a  number  of  rounds,  right  and  left  into 
them,  before  they  can  come  up  in  sufficient  numbers  to 
be  dangerous,  and  if  we  have  to  fall  back,  I  will  take 
my  guns  to  the  porch  of  the  hotel,  place  the  men  in 
the  windows  on  the  first  floor,  and  hold  the  enemy  at 
bay  while  I  signal  from  the  roof  for  assistance.  I  have 
however,  no  fear  as  to  the  result;  the  mob  is  already 
glutted  with  liquor  and  the  booty  obtained  from  the 
houses  they  have  sacked  on  the  way,  and  will  not  have 
much  stomach  for  a  fight  with  cannon  and  regulars  by 
the  time  they  get  within  range  ! " 

"  You  are  right,  and  I  was  wrong,"  responded  Carew, 
convmced  at  once;  "besides,  I  should  have  remem- 
bered that  you  have  before  this  had  experience  in  street 
fightmg.  I  have  not  forgotten  your  services  at  Balti- 
more m  1861,  when  you  won  your  present  grade  !  " 

Andrews  had  no  time  to  reply,  for  the  enemy  was 
now  on  the  march  and  rapidly  approaching.  The  cap- 
tain stepped  a  short  distance  in  advance  of  his  guns, 
but  keepmg  at  the  same  time  between  them,  so  that  he 
might  be  protected  by  their  fire  in  the  event  of  a  rush 
upon  him  by  the  mob.  He  then  held  up  his  hand,  to 
signal  for  a  parley,  but  was  answered  by  howls  and 
execrations,  followed  by  a  volley  of  stones,  and  the 
discharge  of  three  or  four  pistols. 

At  this  Andrews  sprang  hastily  backward,  and  gave 
the  command  to  fire!  Simultaneously,  the  two  guns 
belched  forth  a  shower  of  grape,  and,  when  the  smoke 
had  cleared  a  little,  the  mob  were  beheld  in  full  retreat 
leavmg  several  on  the  field,  three  of  whom  were  found 
to  be  dead,  and  the  others  severely  wounded. 


120  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  Thus  it  ever  is  with  the  fickle  populace  of  a  large 
city,"  said  Carew;  "at  one  instant  it  resembles  a 
raging  tiger,  thirsting  for  the  blood  of  its  victim ;  one 
vigorous  blow  in  return  reduces  it  to  the  condition  of  a 
yelping  cur  !  What  a  dreadful  political  blunder  I  na}^, 
almost  a  crime,  is  universal  suffrage  !  It  will  yet  be  the 
ruin  of  this  country ;  the  people  are  not  fit  for  self- 
government  ! " 

"I  fear  you  are  right,"  responded  the  captain.  "I 
have  always,  heretofore,  been  a  firm  believer  in  our 
institutions,  but  now  begin  to  see  that,  as  the  country 
becomes  more  densely  populated,  the  people  will  lose 
their  primitive  simplicity,  and  be  led  by  demagogues ; 
or  what  is  still  worse,  will  sell  their  votes  for  money  to 
the  highest  bidder !  " 

"  I  am  a  monarchist !  "  said  Carew.  "  The  English 
system  of  government  approaches  the  nearest  to  per- 
fection—  a  limited  sovereign,  supported  by  an  heredi- 
tary aristocracy — these  to  be  held  in  check  by  limited 
suffi-age, 'represented  in  the  House  of  Commons,  are  all 
balanced  against  each  other  so  nicely,  that  the}^  have 
stood  the  storms  of  centuries." 

While  thus  conversing  they  entered  the  house, 
preceded  by  the  wounded  men,  whom  Andrews  had 
caused  to  be  taken  carefully  from  the  ground.  It  was 
now  evening,  and  though  not  anticipating  a  fresh 
attack,  the  prudent  young  soldier  kept  pickets  out, 
and  remained  up  all  night  himself,  ready  for  any 
emergency.  Nothing  occurred,  however ;  on  the 
next  day  the  General  commanding  issued  a  proc- 
lamation, stating  that  the  riots  were  suppressed,  and 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  121 

turning  the  city  over  to  the  civil  authorities.  Other 
portions  of  the  town,  however,  had  not  escaped  so 
easily  as  had  that  commanded  by  Captain  Andrews. 
There  had  been  some  severe  fighting  in  the  Bowery; 
a  number  of  lives  had  been  lost  and  much  property 
destroyed. 

To  this  day,  the  July  riots  of  1863,  are  recalled  by 
residents  of  New  York  with  horror. 


122  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER    X. 

BLACK    AND     WHITE. 

SEVERAL  days  after  the  occurrences  related  in  the 
previous  chapter,  as  Carew  sat  at  a  late  breakfast 
in  his  rooms,  the  card  of  Mr.  Thomas  DeLancey  was 
handed  him.  This  gentleman  was  a  noted  local  politi- 
cian in  Louisiana.  For  many  years  he  had  occupied  a 
conspicuous  position  in  one  or  another  office,  and  he 
was  generally  esteemed  for  his  ability  and  integrity. 
These  admirable  qualities  were,  however,  blemished  by 
intolerable  egotism.  ^Ir.  DeLancey  fancied  his  repu- 
tation to  be  national,  and  that  the  world  was  extremely 
solicitous  as  to  his  opinions  on  all  the  great  questions. 
In  this  respect  he  bore  a  not  distant  resemblance  to  the 
celebrated  Mr.  Pott,  of  Etanswill.  He  had  resided  in 
New  Orleans  all  his  life,  and  was  unfitted,  both  by 
habit  and  nature,  to  get  along  smoothly  in  the  world. 

Carew  knew  DeLancey  intimately,  and  anticipated 
some  pleasure,  as  he  ordered  him  to  be  shown  up ;  for 
his  pompous  manners  and  language  were  a  constant 
source  of  amusement  to  his  friends. 

"I  am  delighted  to  see  you,"  said  our  hero,  as  his 
guest  entered,  and  presented  to  his  eyes  a  tall,  attenu- 
ated form,  surmounted  b}"  a  cadaverous,  sallow  face, 
with  long,  but  thin,  black  hair,  curling  in  wild  confu- 
sion almost  to  the  shoulders. 

"Sir,  I  am  gratified  in  being  able  to  once  more  grasp 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  123 

the  hand  of  your  father's  son,"  gravely  responded  his 
visitor,  as  he  deposited  his  broad-brimmed,  low-crowned 
felt  hat  on  a  chair,  and  fixed  a  pair  of  black,  piercing 
eyes  upon  Carew. 

"What  can  have  brought  you  so  far  from  home,  Mr. 
DeLancey  ?  I  have  never  before  heard  of  your  leaving 
New  Orleans ! " 

"If,  sir,  I  had  consulted  my  personal  feelings  and 
comfort,  I  should  still  be  at  home ;  but  duty,  duty,  my 
young  friend,  has  brought  me  here.  The  country,  in 
this  crisis,  needs  all  the  efforts  of  its  patriotic  sons.  I 
am,  as  you  are  aware,  a  loyal  citizen  of  the  whole  undi- 
vided Union;  and  as  such,  trust  I  have  won  some 
reputation.     I  am,  sir,  on  my  way  to  Washington." 

With  this  patriotic  outburst,  Mr.  DeLancey  relapsed 
into  a  profound,  but  pompous,  silence,  if  we  may  be 
allowed  to  use  such  a  term. 

Carew  thought  it  best  to  humor  him,  and  responded 
in  like  style,  "  Mr.  DeLancey,  you  are  one  of  the  faith- 
ful few.  Men  of  your  talents  are  too  apt  to  consult 
their  own  personal  interests  in  times  of  peril  to  the 
nation,  instead  of  coming  boldly  and  nobly  forward,  as 
you  are  doing,  and  giving  their  services  to  the  govern- 
ment which  has  fostered  them  during  long  years  of 
peace  and  prosperity. 

"I  do  not  wish  to  be  curious,  sir,  but  may  I  not  sur- 
mise that  you  are  on  your  way  to  the  Capital,  with  the 
object  of  calling  upon  the  President,  to  offer  him  the 
advice,  wl^ich  your  many  years  of  political  experience 
in  the  affairs  of  the  nation,  will  render  of  inestimable 
value?" 


124  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  Sir,  Mr.  Carew,"  gravely,  and  with  an  added  shade 
of  pomposity,  replied  the  other,  his  sallow,  lantern 
cheek  flushing  slightly  with  gratification,  and  not  per- 
ceiving the  latent  sarcasm,  "you  are  right  in  your 
supposition.  I  have  indeed  undertaken  this  tedious 
journey  for  the  purpose  of  calling  upon  the  President 
of  the  United  States." 

"  The  President  will  doubtless  be  highly  pleased  to 
meet  so  well-known  a  citizen;  and  will,  I  am  sure, 
profit  by  the  occasion,  to  extract  valuable  information 
and  sage  counsel  from  Mr.  DeLancey." 

"  The  Chief  Magistrate,  for  the  time  being,  of  our 
great  country,  has  the  right,  sir,  to  ask  the  opinions  of 
his  fellow-citizens  on  all  the  great  questions  of  the  day. 
It  is  equally  their  right,  and  duty,  to  give  him,  while 
occupying  his  exalted  position,  all  the  assistance  he 
may  require  of  them  in  the  way  of  counsel." 

"  When  do  you  purpose  visiting  Washington  ?  "  que- 
ried Carew. 

"  I  am  anxious  to  go  as  soon  as  possible ;  but  now 
that  I  have  found  you  here,  I  must  confess,  sir,  that  it 
would  be  a  great  pleasure  to  have  your  company.  You 
are  more  a  man  of  the  world  than  I,"  continued 
DeLancey,  with  a  shade  of  embarrassment,  as  some 
unpleasant  reminiscences,  connected  with  his  journey, 
crowded  upon  his  mind ;  "  and  your  assistance  would 
be  a  great  comfort  to  me." 

"Well,"  said  Carew,  after  a  moment's  hesitation,  "I 
had  not  contemplated  a  trip  to  Washington,  having  no 
business  there ;  but,  now  that  you  have  suggested  it, 
I   begin  to   feel   an   inclination   to   see   Mr.   Lincoln, 


THE     EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD.  125 

provided,  indeed,  that  I  can  see  him;  for  these  great 
men  are  not  always  easy  of  access." 

"Sir,"  replied  the  other,  "the  President  of  these 
United  States  is  accessible  to  every  citizen:  he  is 
emphatically  the  servant  of  the  people  :  it  is  one  of  the 
cardinal  principles  of  our  happily-devised  form  of  gov- 
ernment, that  all  the  public  men,  and,  more  particu- 
larly the  President,  be,  at  all  times,  ready  to  receive 
their  fellow-citizens;  besides,  sir,"  continued  he  with 
dignity,  "  you  will  call  upon  Mr.  Lincoln  with  me." 

"  Say  no  more,  Mr.  DeLancey,"  cried  our  hero,  "  I 
accept  your  kind  invitation,  and  will  join  you.  When 
shall  we  set  out  ?  " 

After  some  consultation  with  a  ponderous  note-book, 
Mr.  DeLancey  announced  that  he  would  be  in  readi- 
ness for  departure  on  the  next  day  but  one.  To  this 
Carew  assented  at  once,  for  he  looked  forward  with 
certainty  to  rich  scenes  between  DeLancey  and  some  of 
the  Washington  officials. 

Accordingly,  on  the  evening  of  the  specified  day, 
they  departed  for  the  Capital,  and  arrived  in  safety  to 
breakfast  at  Willard's. 

This  important  meal  concluded,  DeLancey  proposed 
an  instant  departure  for  the  White  House.  Carew 
endeavored  to  restrain  him,  saying  it  was  too  early, 
and  that  it  was  hot  usual  for  ordinary  citizens  to  call 
much  before  noon.  This  roused  the  ire  of  his  friend, 
and  he  began  to  descant  upon  the  theory  of  the  Ameri- 
can form  of  government  in  support  of  his  argument,  to 
the  effect  that  the  officials  were  the  servants  of  the 
people,  and    were    therefore    ahvays  ready  to  receive 


126  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

their  masters.  Our  hero  finally  succumbed  to  the 
eloquence  of  DeLancey,  and  consented  to  accompany 
him.  They  accordingly  set  out  for  the  Presidential 
mansion,  and,  as  it  was  not  far  distant  from  their 
hotel,  soon  arrived  at  its  spacious  porch. 

De  Lancey  ascended  the  steps.  Finding  the  door 
closed  and  no  one  in  sight,  he  rang  the  bell  once,  twice, 
thr — ,  when  the  door  suddenly  opened,  and  a  shock- 
headed  Irishman  shouted  indignantly  these  words : 

"An'  what  do  ye  want?  Hev  ye  no  manners  at  all, 
at  all,  to  come  about  'a  this  'our  ?     Be  off  wid  ye  !  " 

For  an  instant  De  Lancey  stood,  collapsed,  but  only 
for  an  instant,  for,  as  he  said  afterwards : 

"  Never  should  it  be  said  that  a  free-born  citizen  of 
America  had  quailed  beneath  the  eye  of  an  Irish  alien  I " 

Drawing  himself  up  to  the  full  height  of  six  feet,  he 
frowned  with  awful  dignity  upon  poor  Patrick,  and 
said : 

"Sir,  we  have  come  to  this  mansion  to  call  upon  the 
President  of  the  United  States.  Here  is  my  card.  We 
demand  instant  admission." 

"But  ye  can't  see  the  Prisident,"  bawled  Patrick. 
"It's  not  for  the  likes  of  ye  to  see  him,"  continued  he, 
glancing  superciliously  at  poor  De  Lancey's  spare  form, 
old-fashioned  and  rather  threadbare  garments. 

"  Man,  we  must  and  will  have  an  audience  !  Do 
you  know  what  you  are  doing?  Are  you  not  aware 
that  the  President  of  the  United  States  is  required  to 
receive  any  and  every  citizen  of  the  country  who  may 
see  fit  to  call  upon  him  ?     Let  me  pass,  sir  ! " 

And  De  Lancey  made  a  sudden  movement,  endeavor- 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  127 

ing  to  push  by  Patrick,  who  held  the  knob  of  the  door 
in  one  hand.  The  old  fellow  was  on  the  alert,  how- 
ever, and,  keeping  him  oif  with  his  other  hand,  closed 
the  door  in  his  face  with  a  crash,  shouting,  at  the  same 
time,  at  the  top  of  his  voice  : 

"  Ye  spalpeen  !  Ye  wants  to  murther  the  Prisidint ! 
ye  blackguard !  ye  reb " 

Here  the  rest  of  it  was  lost  in  the  noise  made  by  the 
closing  door,  but  the  old  fellow  could  be  heard  on  the 
inside  drawing  its  fastenings,  and  grumbling  as  he 
did  so. 

Mr.  Thomas  De  Lancey  was  so  overcome  by  his 
outraged  feelings  that  he  became  livid  and  speechless. 
Carew  seized  him  by  the  arm  and  led  him  out  of  the 
grounds,  stuffing  a  handkerchief  into  his  own  mouth, 
meanwhile,  to  prevent  an  explosion  of  laughter  at  the 
discomfiture  of  his  friend. 

At  Length  De  Lancey's  speech  found  vent : 

''We  have  been  denied  access  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States!"  came  forth  in 'slow,  meas- 
ured, sepulchral  tones.  "The  country  is  lost.  A 
despot  has  subverted  the  system  of  our  fathers.  The 
Constitution  is  but  waste  paper.  Liberty!  equality! 
These  are  become  mere  words,  vague  and  meaning- 
less  i 

"  Sir,"  continued  he,  with  vehemence,  as  he  turned 
suddenly  on  Carew,  "  let  us  go.  We  will  shake  the  dust 
of  this  accursed  place  from  our  feet.  I  am  ready  to  die. 
I  —  I  choke  —  I  no  longer  have  a  country  !  " 

Carew  saw  it  Avas  useless  to  argue  with  him  in  this 
state  of  mind,  and,  therefore,  went  with  him,  putting 


128  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

on  as  solemn  a  face  as  he  could,  not  daring  to  trust 
himself  to  utter  a  word,  knowing  he  should  be  unable 
to  restrain  his  mirth,  thereby,  at  once  and  forever, 
forfeiting  De  Lancey's  friendship. 

In  this  manner — Carew  silent  and,  apparently,  grave  ; 
Delancey  declaiming  eloquently  and  attracting  the 
attention  of  the  passers-by — did  they  return  to  the 
hotel,  De  Lancey  retiring  at  once  to  the  solitude  of  his 
room. 

In  the  evening  papers  it  was  announced  that  there 
had  been  an  attempt  to  assassinate  the  President. 
Then  followed  a  tolerably  correct  account  of  the  con- 
versation between  the  old  doorkeeper  and  De  Lancey, 
which,  indeed,  might  have  been  easily,  and  even  in  less 
exciting  times,  distorted  into  a  conspiracy.  De  Lancey's 
gaunt  figure,  saturnine  countenance,  slouched  hat  and 
long  hair  might,  with  a  very  little  exaggeration,  be 
taken  for  that  of  a  desperate  rebel ! 

Carew  knocked  at  the  door  of  his  friend  and  handed 
him  the  paper  without  comment.  De  Lancey's  mortifi- 
cation on  reading  the  article  knew  no  bounds.  This 
was  mingled  with  a  little  apprehension  as  to  the  result, 
for  it  was  also  stated  that  the  police  had  instituted  a 
strict  search  for  the  two  men.  Although  he  had  the 
highest  possible  appreciation  of  his  own  importance,  De 
Lancey  was  a  very  timid  man.  He  had  read  and  heard 
of  awful  stories  of  incarceration,  on  slight  pretexts,  by 
the  military  in  those  troublesome  times,  and  felt 
correspondingl}'  uncomfortable. 

Carew  was  not  sorry  to  see  the  impression  made  on 
his  companion ;  for,  aside  from  this  well-merited  blow 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  129 

at  his  conceit,  he  felt  that  De  Lancey  would  for  the 
future  be  more  amenable  to  reason. 

"  What  are  we  to  do,  Mr.  Carew?  "  said  he,  in  a  mild 
voice,  very  different  from  his  old  pompous  style. 
"Would  it  not  be  wise  for  us  to  slip  off  this  evening 
and  return  to  New  York?" 

"And  be  arrested  at  the  depot?"  answered  the 
other.      • 

"Surely  they  would  not  carry  it  so  far?"  said  De 
Lancey,  assuming  a  dignity  which  he  did  not  at  all 
feel.  "We  can  easily  explain.  The  facts  are  simple 
enough." 

"Yes,  the  facts  are,  as  you  say,  simple  enough.  It 
would  be  much  better,  however,  to  explain  them  before 
than  after  arrest." 

"  But  how  are  we  to  do  this  ?  Who  will  listen  to  our 
explanations  ?     We  have  no  friends  here." 

Carew  could  not  avoid  a  smile  of  satisfaction  at  the 
ease  with  which  De  Lancey  had  forgotten  that  he  had 
a  national  reputation.  He  replied  that  it  would  be  best 
to  act  at  once,  and,  if  the  affair  was  committed  into  his 
hands,  he  had  but  little  doubt  of  bringing  it  to  a 
successful  termination. 

The  other  was  only  too  glad  to  ease  his  mind  of  the 
responsibility,  and,  accordingly,  promised  acquiescence 
in  what  Carew  might  recommend. 

"  My  plan,  then,"  continued  our  hero,  "  is  very  simple. 
It  consists  merely  in  calling  upon  Mr.  Lincoln  to-mor- 
row, at  the  usual  and  proper  hour,  and  telling  him  the 
whole  story." 

De  Lancey  was  quite  averse  to  this  proceeding,  and  it 
8 


130  THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

was  amusing  to  note  the  eagerness  with  which  he  now^ 
strove  to  avoid  an  interview  with  the  very  person  to 
see  whom  he  had  traveled  from  Louisiana  to  Washing- 
ton. He  who,  only  the  day  before,  had  declared  that  it 
was  the  assured  privilege  of  every  citizen  to  have  free 
access  to  the  presence  of  the  President,  now  averred  it 
to  be  one  of  the  most  difficult  feats  to  accomplish ! 

"Never  mind,"  said  Carew,  after  a  long  debate. 
"Leave  it  all  to  me.  I  assure  you  that,  before  this  hour 
to-morrow,  we  will  have  had  our  interview  with  the 
great  man,  and  all  will  be  well.  Now,  ^Ir.  De  Lancey, 
I  propose  that  you  make  your  mind  easy  and  keep 
•quietly  in  j^our  room  until  morning,  for  you  are  aware 
ihat  your  appearance  has  been  quite  accurately  de- 
scribed." 

De  Lancey  acquiesced  with  a  groan,  and  Carew 
disappeared,  feeling  well  satisfied  at  the  humiliation  of 
the  little,  great  man. 

After  a  late  breakfast  on  the  following  morning,  the 
two  friends  sat  in  the  reading-room  of  Willard's  and 
conversed  on  indifferent  topics  until  the  hour  ^i  noon 
approached,  when  Carew  proposed  that  they  set  out  on 
their  projected  visit  to  the  White  House.  De  Lancey 
nervously  assenting,  they  took  their  hats  and  soon 
arrived  on  the  memorable  scene  of  the  action  with 
Patrick  on  the  preceding  day.  The  old  fellow  was, 
however,  not  visible,  and  the  large  door  to  the  right  of 
the  East-room  stood  invitingly  open.  But  few  others 
were  3-et  in  the  spacious  building,  but  they  could  be 
seen  entering  the  grounds  from  different  quarters,  all 
bound  for  one  central  point,  viz. :  the  small  room  up 
stairs,  which  the  President  denominated  his  office. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  131 

Carew,  having  first  taken  his  friend,  who  had  never 
visited  Washington  before,  through  the  East  and  other 
rooms  thrown  open  to  the  public,  led  the  way  up  stairs 
to  the  ante-room  —  an  apartment  of  moderate  size, 
with  windows  overlooking  the  low  and,  at  this  spot, 
marshy  banks  of  the  Potomac.  Here  were  congregated 
thirty  or  forty  persons,  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  standing 
or  sitting  about  the  ro©m,  with  anxious  countenances ; 
gazing  with  envious  eyes  on  the  members  of  Congress, 
several  of  whom  were  present,  and  who  had  the  privi- 
lege of  being  admitted  to  the  presence  of  the  President 
without  delay. 

The  two  friends  seated  themselves,  and  after  a  few 
minutes  spent  in  reflecting  upon  the  best  means  of 
obtaining  a  speedy  audience,  our  hero  drew  a  visiting 
card  from  his  pocket-book  and  inscribed  on  it,  with  a 
pencil,  under  his  name,  these  words :  ^'  Sugar  planter, 
from  Louisiana."  Without  showing  it  to  De  Lancey, 
he  advanced  to  one  of  the  secretaries,  and,  calling  his 
attention  to  what  he  had  written,  requested  that  it 
be  handed  to  Mr.  Lincoln  without  delay. 

The  young  man  glanced  at  the  card  and  then,  with  an 
air  of  surprise,  looked  inquiringly  at  Carew,  who  smiled 
and  nodded,  as  though  he  meant  to  assure  him  it  was  all 
true.  In  a  few  moments,  the  secretary  arose  and  entered 
into  a  whispered  conversation  with  another  official, 
during  which  they  both  indulged  in  another  prolonged 
stare  at  our  hero,  who  bore  it  with  his  accustomed 
equanimity.  The  secretary  now  disappeared  into  the 
adjoining  apartment,  which  Carew  knew  to  be  the  office 
of  the  President,  as  he  had  been  there  during  the 
previous  administration. 


132  THE     EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

"  It  is  progressing  favorably,"  thought  he,  "  and  if 
the  card  produces  as  much  impression  upon  Mr.  Lin- 
coln as  it  has  on  his  underlings,  we  shall  soon  have  an 
audience." 

They  sat  for  some  minutes  longer.  A  perfect  silence 
pervaded  the  room,  broken  only  by  the  low,  buzzing 
murmurs  of  the  anxiously  expectant  crowd.  Suddenly, 
the  door  through  which  the  secretary  had  disappeared 
was  thrown  open,  and  that  individual  beckoned  to 
Carew,  who  at  once  obeyed,  and  leaving  De  Lancey, 
who  sat  staring,  with  open  mouth,  he  entered  into  the 
apartment,  where  sat,  alone,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  holding  in  his  hand  the  card  of  our  hero. 

Mr.  Lincoln  rose  and,  as  his  visitor  advanced,  came 
forward  to  meet  him,  and  graciously,  frankly,  with  all 
the  cordial  wealth  of  his  great  and  good  heart,  grasped 
him  by  the  hand,  saying : 

"  This  is  indeed  a  gratifying  surprise,  Mr.  Carew.  I 
am  delighted  to  be  able  to  welcome  one  of  your  class  to 
Washington.  May  the  day  be  not  far  distant  when 
they  will,  as  of  yore,  rally  to  the  Capital  of  our  common 
country." 

"Mr.  President,"  replied  the  other,  "I  thank  you 
heartily  for  this  cordial  welcome.  It  is,  however,  just 
what  I  expected  from  your  good  heart,  for  you  must 
not  suppose  that  all  of  the  Southerners  are  ignorant  of 
your  man}^  good  qualities." 

"What!"  cried  Mr.  Lincoln,  laughing,  "is  it  possible 
that  I  am  called  or  considered  anything  but  the  '  Illinois 
ape'  in  the  South?" 

"  Such  expressions,"  answered  Carew,  "  are  seen  only 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  133 

in  the  columns  of  obscure  country  papers  and  are  not 
countenanced  in  polite  society." 

Carew  then  begged  the  President  to  give  him  a  few 
moments'  attention,  which,  being  readily  accorded,  he 
proceeded  to  relate  the  adventure  with  Patrick,  and 
recapitulated  the  good  qualities  and  eccentricities  of 
De  Lancey.  * 

All  this  was  music  to  the  ears  of  the  President,  who 
had  as  keen  a  sense  of  humor  as  ever  man  had.  He 
was  thrown  into  convulsions  of  laughter.  When  Carew 
informed  liim  that  De  Lancey  was  in  the  next  room, 
he  at  once  tapped  his  bell  and  ordered  his  instant 
admission. 

Poor  De  Lancey  advanced  into  the  room  with  a  half 
pompous,  half  apprehensive  air,  which  was  so  inexpress- 
ibly absurd  that  Carew  forgot  the  time  and  place  and 
burst  into  a  hearty  laugh. 

Mr.  Lincoln  attempted  to  put  on  an  air  of  dignity 
suitable  to  his  august  office,  but,  though  he  was  not 
wanting  in  this  quality  on  suitable  occasions,  he  was 
now  unable  to  keep  it  up,  and  threw  himself  into  a 
chair  in  an  uproar  of  merriment. 

"This,  then,"  continued  he,  as  soon  as  he  could 
regain  breath,  "is  the  conspirator  who  caused  us  so 
much  agitation  yesterday !  Why,  sir,  Seward  was  not 
willing  to  give  the  rebels  another  ninety  days'  extension 
of  the  war,  but  insisted  that  McClellan  should  have 
peremptory  orders  to  march  on  Richmond  without  an 
hour's  delay ;  and  all  because  he  judged  from  this  bold 
attempt  at  assassination  that  the  rebels  were  growino- 
too  audacious  and  must  be  repressed!" 


134  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

While  the  President  poured  forth  this  torrent  of 
words,  poor  De  Lancey  stood  confounded  and  stared 
straight  before  him,  with  ejes  which  seemed  to  see 
nothing. 

"But  come,  sit  down,  sir,"  continued  Mr.  Lincoln, 
good  humoredlj.  "I  must  not  forget  that  my  time 
tind  dignity  belong  to  others,  and  should  therefore,  be 
husbanded." 

He  now  entered  upon  a  serious  conversation  with  his 
visitors,  and  asked  many  pertinent  questions  as  to  the 
condition  of  affairs  in  the  South,  all  of  which  his  visitors 
freely  and  fully  answered  to  the  best  of  their  ability. 
After  an  hour's  interview,  the  two  gentlemen  took  their 
departure,  the  President  thanking  them  for  much  valu- 
able information,  and  extending  to  both  a  cordial 
invitation  to  call  again  before  leaving  Washington. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  135 

CHAPTER    XI. 

DINER    EN    FAMILLE. 

THE  friends  now  determined  upon  making  a  longer 
stay  in  Washington  than  was  originally  contem- 
plated; for  the  President  had  intimated  a  desire  that 
Carew  would  have  an  interview  with  the  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  who  was  anxious  to  obtain  information 
as  to  the  probable  quantity  of  cotton  still  remaining  in 
the  South. 

After  they  had  been  in  the  city  for  about  ten  days, 
Carew  began  to  grow  restive,  and  concluded  that  Mr. 
Lincoln,  in  the  pressure  of  events,  had  forgotten  him; 
he  therefore  announced  to  De  Lancey,  his  intention  of 
returning  to  New  York  within  the  next  three  or  four 
days.  On  the  following  day  however,  he  received  a 
note  from  one  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  secretaries,  requesting 
him  to  call  at  the  White  House.  H^e  accordingly  left 
De  Lancey  at  the  hotel,  and  set  out  at  once;  anxious 
to  have  the  affair  over,  and,  as  he  expressed  it,  "  feel 
once  more  that  he  was  free ;  "  for  this  hanging  about  — 
subject  to  the  call  of  any  one,  be  he  ever  so  great,  was 
exceedingly  galling  to  the  temperament  of  our  hero. 

Fortunately,  he  found  comparatively  few  persons  in 
the  ante-room,  and  being  recognized  by  one  of  the 
attendants,  his  card  was  at  once  taken  in,  and  he  was 
soon  ushered  into  the  presence  of  the  President,  who 
welcomed  him  with,  frank  cordiality;  there  were  sev- 
eral persons  in  the  room,  but  they  soon  left. 


136  THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD. 

The  moment  tliey  were  alone,  Mr.  Lincoln  requested 
Carew  to  draw  his  chair  nearer,  and  began  thus, — 
"My  young  friend,  I  must  confess  to  a  strange  liking 
for  you  on  such  a  short  acquaintance;  perhaps  it  is 
owing  to  the  courage  you  have  evinced  in  avowing 
your  principles  of  loyalty  to  the  Union :  but,  I  suspect 
it  is  due  to  a  feeling  that  you  may  be  connected  in  some 
way  with  an  incident  of  my  early  life,  which  I  will 
relate : "  then  tapping  the  silver  hand-bell  by  his  side, 
and  directing  the  attendant,  who  answered  it,  not  to 
disturb  him,  he  continued: 

''  I  suppose  you  have  heard  some  of  the  many  stories 
which  are  circulated  concerning  my  early  life,  and, 
among  others,  that  one  which  represents  me,  as  having 
been  a  deck-hand  on  one  of  the  "flat  boats,"  which 
are  used  to  carry  merchandise  down  the  Mississippi 
River  ? 

Carew  bowed  in  assent  to  this  question,  and  the 
President  continued: 

"Well,  this  story  is  partially  true,  for  I  did,  when 
quite  a  young  man,  command  one  of  those  unwieldy 
craft;  it  belonged  to  an  uncle,  who  formerly  plied 
the  river  in  the  same  vocation,  but  had  retired  to  his 
farm,  relinquishing  the  boat  to  me;  it  was  my  first,  and 
only  venture  of  the  kind. 

Mine  was  what  was  called  a  "trading  boat,"  and 
carried  at  its  square  bow  an  upright  broom,  fastened 
handle  downwards ;  this  was  a  sign,  indicating  that  we 
were  ready  to  exchange  our  commodities  either  for 
money,  or  in  kind." 

"  This  custom,"  remarked  CarcAV,  "was  still  in  vogue 
up  to  the  commencement  of  the  war." 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  137 

"  I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  it,"  rejoined  the  President, 
"and  I  hope  it  will  be  resumed,  to  continue  without 
interruption  after  this  cruel  strife  is  ended;  but,  to 
continue  with  my  story  ! 

"In  the  early  spring  of  1844,  I  had  set  out  on  my 
maiden  trip,  laden  with  country  produce  of  all  kinds 
grown  in  the  west;  we  drifted  slowly  and  deliberately 
down  the  stream,  time  being  no  object  with  us,  stop- 
ping invariably  at  night,  and  also  frequently  laying  at 
the  bank  for  days  together,  when  we  found  favorable 
neighborhoods  for  trading;  we  had  been  over  three 
months  out,  from  our  point  of  departure,  (on  the  Ohio 
river)  had  sold  the  bulk  of  the  cargo,  principally 
for  money,  and  arrived  at  a  point  called  —  I  remem- 
ber it  well,  a  small  wooden  building — the  Red  Church, 
not  many  miles  above  New  Orleans!  Was  it  near 
your  father's  plantation  ?  " 

"  It  was,  and  still  is,  for  that  matter,"  answered  his 
hearer,  "  only  a  few  miles  from  Court  Lodge,  as  my 
father  called  the  plantation." 

"  Well,"  continued  Mr.  Lincoln,  "  according  to  the 
best  of  my  recollection,  there  were  no  large  plantations 
in  the  immediate  vicinity.  We  laid  there  for  several 
days  and  had  taken  in  what  was  for  those  times  a  good 
deal  of  money,  and  were  ready  to  take  our  departure 
for  New  Orleans,  there  to  close  out  the  rest  of  the 
cargo  and  sell  the  boat  previous  to  returning  home. 

"  We  had  a  hard  day's  work  delivering  goods,  such 
as  corn,  apples,  flour,  etc.,  and  after  pulling  in  the  planks 
which  communicated  with  the  shore,  and  hano-ine  out 
a  lantern  to  indicate  our  position  to  passing  boats,  we 


138  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

retired  soon  to  fall  into  profound  sleep,  having  omitted 
for  the  first  time  during  the  voyage,  to  place  one  of 
our  number  on  watch. 

"  After  one  of  those  deep  sleeps,  in  which  you  fancy 
that  you  have  slumbered  for  ages,  but  which  in  reality 
does  not,  perhaps,  exceed  an  hour,  I  awoke  suddenly, 
feeling  fully  aware  that  I  was  surrounded  by  impend- 
ing danger. 

"  If  there  is  anything  in  this  world  that  I  have  a 
horror  of,  it  is  the  fear  of  sudden  death. 

"  To  be  taken,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  into  the 
presence  of  my  Maker,  has  always  filled  me  with  a 
peculiar  feeling  of  terror;  it  has  also,  several  times 
come  under  my  observation,  to  such  an  extent  that  I 
am  almost  superstitious  on  the  subject, —  that  those  who 
are  most  afraid  of  a  sudden  death,  are  the  very  persons 
wlio  are  most  likely  to  be  carried  off  in  that  manner. 

"But,"  continued  Mr.  Lincoln  with  energy,  and  rous- 
ing himself  from  the  temporary  melanchol}^  into  which 
he  had  fallen,  "  to  return  to  my  story ;  as  I  awoke,  and 
endeavored  with  straining  eyes  to  pierce  the  inky  dark- 
ness of  the  night,  I  fancied  I  heard  low,  stealthy  steps, 
cautiously  moving  along  the  floor  of  the  cabin.  I 
remembered  that  several  light  boxes  lay  between  me 
and  the  door ;  the  intruder  could  scarcely  avoid  stumb- 
ling over  some  of  them,  so  I  waited  with  intense  anx- 
iety before  making  a  demonstration;  finally,  the  noise 
slowly  but  surely  approached,  and  I  all  at  once  realized 
that  there  were  several  sounds,  all  nearer  than  at  first. 

"  It  flashed  across  my  mind  that  the  thieves  were 
on  all  fours,  crawling  steadily  forward,  and  noiselessly 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  139 

removing  the  obstructions  on  the  floor.  My  hair  rose 
at  this,  —  yelling  murder,  and  calling  my  men  vigor- 
ously, I  sprang  from  the  bed  and  seizing  the  first  object 
upon  which  I  laid  my  hand,  which  proved  to  be  an  axe, 
struck  right  and  left  with  frenzied  power.  A  yell  of 
agony  followed  after  I  had  struck  three  or  four  blows, 
and  an  appeal  for  mercy  was  uttered  as  my  men  came 
tumbling  in  from  the  forward  cabin,  where  they  had 
been  sleeping.  They  encountered  and  captured  two 
men,  who  were  endeavoring  to  escape  as  they  entered. 
Unfortunately  one  of  our  men  was  mortally  wounded 
with  a  knife,  and  died  in  the  morning. 

"We  now  succeeded  in  striking  a  light,  and  found 
a  negro  weltering  in  his  blood,  who  had  been  cut 
down  with  my  axe,  just  as  he  was  in  the  act  of  spring- 
ing upon  me.  He  would  not  admit  an  intention  to 
kill,  but  as  he  was  armed  with  a  murderous  looking 
knife  with  a  broad  blade  (they  called  it  a  cane  knife, 
used  for  cutting  the  sugar  canes  preparatory  to  taking 
them  to  the  factory)  large  enough  to  cut  the  throat  of 
an  ox, —  I  felt  that  I  had  made  a  sufficiently  narrow 
escape. 

"We  secured  our  prisoners,  all  of  whom  proved  to 
be  negroes,  did  what  we  could  for  the  wounded  and, 
at  daybreak,  sent  for  the  sheriff  of  the  county  who 
took  them  into  custody.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  he 
prevented  the  enraged  populace  from  executing  the 
robbers  on  the  spot,  but  I  joined  the  officers  with  my 
men,  and  by  a  judicious  mingling  of  threats  and  ex- 
postulations we  succeeded  in  getting  them  safely  to 
jail. 


140  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"A  physician  was  in  the  mean  time  sent  for;  he 
pronounced  the  man  whom  I  had  wounded,  to  be  out 
of  danger,  to  my  infinite  relief;  fervently  did  I  thank 
God,  for  having  preserved  my  hands  from  the  blood 
of  a  fellow-being,  even  though  it  had  been  done  in 
self-defense. 

"We  buried  our  poor  fellow  on  the  following  day. 
The  funeral  was  largely  attended  by  numbers  of  the 
neighbors,  who,  without  exception,  gave  us  their  sym- 
pathy. They  made  up  a  purse  of  five  hundred  dollars 
for  his  wife ;  this  was  put  into  my  hands  for  delivery. 

"  After  giving  our  depositions  against  the  thieves," 
continued  the  President,  "and  leaving  two  of  our  men 
to  serve  as  witnesses  in  the  approaching  trial,  we  took 
our  departure,  among  the  cheers  of  the  populace  who 
assembled  to  see  us  off. 

"  From  that  day,  I  have  always  loved  the  Southern 
people;  their  warm-hearted  liberality,  hospitalit}^  and 
sympathy  for  the  distressed  stranger  went  to  my  heart. 

"  Oh !  "  said  the  good  man,  with  a  sudden  burst  of 
feeling,  "  that  the  sacrifice  of  one  man  could  fill  the 
monstrous  gap  now  existing  betAveen  the  sections,  how 
speedily  would  I  offer  myself  as  the  victim !  " 

"  Your  sentiments  are  noble  and  exalting,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent," cried  Carew,  energetically.  "  You  are  in  every 
way  worthy,  sir,  of  your  august  station.  The  choice 
must  have  been  providential. 

"  Oh !  if  you  could  be  revealed  to  the  hostile  armies, 
and  be  heard  uttering  the  sentiments  I  have  just  heard, 
the  cruel  strife  would  at  once  end." 

"  You  are  too  sanguine,  my  young  friend,"  answered 
Mr.  Lincoln,  sliaking  his  head  slowly  and  sadly. 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  141 

"The  evil  passions  of  men  when  once  let  loose,  after 
so  many  years  of  bitter  criminations  and  re-criminations, 
cannot  be  healed  by  mere  expressions  of  sentiment,' 
ho^yever  strongly  expressed.  Blood,  blood  alone,  can 
satisfy  their  fiendish  maws,  and  it  will  yet  flow  in 
torrents  before  the  end. 

"Now  I  must  terminate  this  interview.  I  wish  you 
to  see  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and,  for  the 
purpose  have  prepared  this  card,  which  will  procure 
your  instant  admission  to  him."  Thus  speaking  and 
handing  the  card  to  our  hero,  Mr.  Lincoln  rose,  and 
this  memorable  interview  terminated. 

In  accordance  with  the  desire  of  the  President,  our 
nero  at  once  proceeded  to  the  Treasury  Department, 
only  a  short  distance  from  the  Executive  Mansion, 
where,  on  sending  in  the  card  with  which  Mr.  Lincoln 
had  provided  him,  he  was  admitted  to  an  audience  with 
the  Secretary.  Mr.  Chase  was  however  so  much  occu- 
pied, that  he  requested  Carew  to  call  on  the  following 
day,  and  after  a  moment's  consideration,  fixed  the  hour 
of  twelve  for  the  interview. 

Punctually  at  the  appointed  time,  Carew  made  his 
appearance  and  was  ushered  in  without  delay  to  the 
inner  office  of  the  Secretary,  who,  without  rising, 
invited  him  to  be  seated.  Carew  drew  a  chair  to  one 
of  the  windows  looking  towards  the  Potomac,  and 
patiently  awaited  the  pleasure  of  the  great  man. 

Perfect  silence  followed  for  perhaps  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  unbroken  save  by  the  rustle  of  papers,  as  Mr. 
Chase  rapidly  went  over  piles  of  letters  and  documents 
awaiting  his  signature  or  perusal.     He  had  evidently 


142  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

forgotten  the  presence  of  a  visitor.  Suddenly  the  dooi 
opened,  and  in  an  elevated  tone  the  usher  announced, 
Governor  Kemper,  of  Virginia. 

The  Secretary  rose  at  once  to  meet  the  gentleman, 
giving  him  a  cordial  welcome,  and  at  the  same  time 
drawing  a  chair  close  to  his  own  for  his  accommodation. 

Our  hero  began  to  wax  impatient  at  this.  "  Here," 
thought  he,  "  am  I  by  special  request  of  the  Secretary, 
waiting  to  give  him  information  on  subjects  of  no 
interest  to  myself,  completely  overlooked  and  treated 
in  this  unceremonious  style." 

Still,  he  said  nothing ;  but  when  the  interview 
between  the  two  gentlemen  had  proceeded  in  a  subdued 
undertone  for  some  minutes  longer  and  showed  no 
signs  of  termination,  his  temper  —  none  of  the  best  at 
any  time — gave  Avay.  He  rose  indignantly,  and  with 
a  slight  bow  to  Mr.  Chase,  which  was  not  returned,  he 
left  the  apartment  and  went  immediately  to  his  hotel, 
determined  upon  leaving  Washington  that  day. 

On  meeting  De  Lancey  at  dinner,  Carew,  still 
chafing,  related  his  experience  of  the  morning.  His 
friend  soothed  him  with  the  assurance  that  the  Secre- 
tary could  not  have  intended  to  insult  him,  and  chid 
him  for  being  so  precipitate  in  his  departure. 

While  they  were  yet  discussing  the  matter,  a  servant 
entered  with  a  note  for  Carew,  which  read  as  follows : 

"  Treasury  Department. 

"Dear  Sir:  —  The  Secretary  desires  that  you  will 
call  upon  him  at  your  earliest  convenience.  Immedi- 
ately, if  possible.  "  Very  truly  yours, 

''  J.  M.  SCHUCKERO." 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  143 

"  There,"  cried  De  Lance}^  as  he  listened  to  the 
contents,  which  Carew  read  aloud,  "  there  is  the  amende. 
Mr.  Chase  has  discovered  your  absence,  and  divined 
the  cause.     Now  go  at  once  and  meet  him  half  way." 

Our  hero  was  only  partially  appeased,  and  still  dis- 
posed to  stand  on  his  dignity.  But  when  De  Lancey 
suggested  that  it  would  be  churlish  to  treat  so  polite 
an  invitation  with  scorn,  he  gave  way,  and  rising  at 
once  from  his  half-completed  meal,  bent  his  steps  once 
more  towards  the  Treasury  building,  where  he  found 
Mr.  Chase  in  the  act  of  leaving  for  the  day. 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Carew,"  said  he,  putting  off  his  hat 
and  resuming  his  seat,  after  having  cordially  shaken 
hands,  "  I  am  rejoiced  to  have  the  opportunity  of 
apologizing  so  soon  to  you,  for  the  rudeness  of  this 
morning.  I  was  so  engrossed  that  I  had  forgotten  an 
interview  had  been  fixed  for  the  same  hour  for  Gov- 
ernor Kemper  as  well  as  for  yourself..  It  was  not  my 
intention  to  have  left  you  so  long  unnoticed.  I  was  in 
the  wrong  and  frankly  acknowledge  it.  Pray  forgive 
me." 

Carew's  good  nature  at  once  returned. 

"  Say  no  more,  Mr.  Secretary,"  replied  he.  "  I  feel 
myself  culpable  for  having  acted  so  hastily.  I  should 
have  reflected  that  you  are  much  pressed  for  time.  It 
is  but  natural  you  should  sometimes  make  unintentional 
mistakes  about  trifles." 

"  Simply  and  truly  said,"  answered  Mr.  Chase. 
"  Where  both  are  so  willing  to  admit  themselves  in  the 
wrong,  there  is  no  reason  why  we  should  not  become 
fast  friends.     Now,"  continued  he,  ''  I  wish  you  to  dine 


144  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

with  me  to-day.  I  will  take  no  denial,"  he  added 
hastil}^  as  he  saw  Carew,  who  reflected  that  he  had 
just  partially  dined  and  was  also  glancing  apprehen- 
sively at  his  dress,  was  on  the  point  of  declining, 
"  come  just  as  you  are,  it  will  be  a  diner  en  famille. 
My  daughter  will  be  the  only  lady  present ;  a  carriage 
is  in  waiting,  come." 

Our  hero  could  not  resist  so  frank  and  hospitable  an 
invitation.  The  two  gentlemen  proceeded  to  the 
carriage  without  another  word. 

Carew  afterwards  informed  De  Lancey  that  he  had 
never  spent  a  more  delightful  evening.  In  reply 
however  to  questions,  as  to  his  opinion  of  the  character 
of  his  host,  he  stated  that  while  Mr.  Chase  was  a 
gentleman  in  manners  and  accomplishments,  and  that 
he  was  also  a  man  of  considerable  talents,  yet  he 
thought  him  insincere  and  selfishly  ambitious. 

"I  think  Mr.  Lincoln,"  he  continued,  "infinitely  his 
superior,  both  in  ability  and  in  goodness." 


THE  EARL  OF  MAYFIELD.     145 
CHAPTER  XII. 

FKEE  AS  AIR. 

THE  thread  of  our  story  now  carries  us  back  to  Lou- 
isiana, whither  Carew  had  gone,  shortly  after  the 
events  recounted  in  the  preceding  chapter.  He  had 
for  some  time  been  meditating  over  the  propriety  of 
freeing  his  slaves.  He  had  always  been  at  heart  an 
abolitionist,  and,  even  before  the  commencement  of  the 
war,  had  thought  of  moving  in  this  important  matter. 

Now,  he  was  satisfied  the  time  had  at  last  arrived 
when,  if  ever,  it  was  his  imperative  duty  to  act.  Fired 
with  this  noble  idea,  our  hero  acted  on  the  impulse 
of  his  quickened  conscience,  and  proceeded  to  Court 
Lodge. 

On  the  very  next  day,  he  ordered  all  the  slaves  to 
be  summoned  to  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  mansion,  in 
order  that  a  more  impressive  effect  might  be  produced. 
He  directed  them  to  appear  in  their  best  attire,  and 
made  the  occasion  a  holiday. 

At  twelve  o'clock,  tlie  great  bell  of  the  estate  pealed 
forth  its  solemn  tones,  calling  the  slaves,  to  meet  their 
earthly  master  for  the  last  time. 

CarcAv  communicated  his  purpose  to  no  one,  not  even 
to  Randolph,  his  old  and  faitliful  manager.  He  intend- 
ed to  make  this  day  a  solemn  and  profound  surprise  to 
all  his  hearers.  He  was  now  seated  in  his  bed-chamber, 
anxiously  reflecting  on  the  importance  of  his  meditated 
action. 


146  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

At  the  first  stroke  of  the  bell,  he  sprang  to  his  feet 
—  startled  at  the  near  approach  of  the  solemn  moment ; 
then,  ^^^ith  hasty,  uneven  strides  he  traversed  the  room 
from  end  to  end,  —  muttering  to  himself : 

"  Have  I  done  well,  after  all  ?  Is  not  this  step  too 
hastily  taken?  Will  I  not  be  condemned  by  all? 
friends  as  well  as  foes  ?  And  these  poor  creatures ! 
will  they  be  grateful?  or,  will  they  not  abandon  me 
the  very  instant  that  they  realize  their  freedom  ?  Yet 
why  should  they  leave  me  ?  My  father  was  a  kind  and 
indulgent  master.  I  have  tried  to  follow  in  his  foot- 
steps ;  but  with  poor  success,  I  fear,  for  my  temper  is 
bad,  and  I  have  frequently  given  way  to  the  evil 
impulse  of  the  moment.  Still,  I  meant  well  on  the 
whole.  Surely,  these  people  will  not  weigh  an  occa- 
sional harsh  word  or  action  against  years  of  kindness  I 
It  is  too  late  to  retract ;  my  resolution  is  taken.  Mor- 
tifying as  it  may  be  to  have  them  all  abandon  their  old 
home,  I  must  do  my  duty.     God  will  do  the  rest." 

Then  sinking  on  his  knees,  he  said:  "My  God! 
grant  that  I  may  be  now  doing  my  duty  with  a  pure 
and  unselfish  heart — tainted  by  no  earthly  desire  for 
fame ;  that  this  action  may  meet  with  Thy  approval ; 
that,  in  surrendering  the  bodies  of  these  slaves,  I,  their 
earthly  master,  in  accounting  to  the  great  Master  of  all, 
may  not  be  judged  by  Him  to  have  lost,  through  any 
evil  example  or  action,  a  single  one  of  these  immortal 
souls !  O,  my  Father  I  my  God !  I  promise  Thee  to 
exercise,  as  far  as  lays  in  ni}^  power,  a  fostering  care 
over  nij  former  slaves ;  still  will  I  continue  to  look 
after  their  moral  and  pliysical  welfare." 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  147 

As  he  rose  to  his  feet,  he  could  hear  the  subdued 
murmur  of  many  voices  outside— indicating  the  arrival 
of  the  entire  population  of  the  estate. 

Carew  descended,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  met 
Kaudolph  and  Boiseau,  the  latter  having  unexpectedly 
returned  from  a  visit  to  an  adjoining  parish. 

He  scarcely  knew  whether  to  feel  pleased  or  embar- 
rassed at  the  arrival  of  his  friend;  for  he  was  fully 
aware  of  Boiseau's  strong  proclivities  in  favor  of 
slaA^eiy. 

"What's  in  the  wind  now  ?  "  cried  his  friend,  as  soon 
as  they  exchanged  greetings;  "  I  am  sure  you  are  up  to 
some  mischief!  What  does  this  gathering  portend, 
Kandolph  ?  I  must  address  myself  to  you  for  informa- 
tion.    It  IS  evident  that  Carew  will  not  teU." 

Before  Randolph  could  utter  a  word  in  reply,  Carew 
interposed,  saying  that  the  manager  was,  equally  with 
himself,  in  the  dark  as  to  the  object  of  the  present 
meeting;  but,  if  the  two  gentlemen  would  accompany 
him,  they  would  soon  be  fully  enlightened. 

While  thus  speaking,  he  led  the  way  to  the  lawn, 
where  the  slaves  were  assembled,  followed  by  his 
friends. 

As  the  master  appeared,  the  men  doffed  their  hats 
and  the  women  courtesied.  This  act  of  homage  was 
acknowledged  by  a  slight,  but  kindly,  inclination  of  the 
head  followed  by  a  moment  of  profound  silence,  which 
was  broken  by  Carew  in  the  following  words: 

"  I  am  glad  to  meet  you  again.  My  frequent  absences 
trom  home  of  late,  have  taught  me  to  appreciate  the 
advantages  of  being  surrounded   by   familiar,  and,  I 


148  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

trust,  loving  faces.  This  strong  feeling  has  grown 
upon  me  with  time.  It  increases  the  personal  sacrifice 
I  am  about  to  make,  and  fills  my  heart  with  melan- 
choly ;  not,  however,  the  melancholy  of  grief ;  God 
forbid ;  but  with  the  feelings  of  natural  sorrow,  which 
a  parent  suffers,  when  about  to  part  with  loved  children 
for  their  own  good.  At  such  periods,  sorrow  is  not 
only  a  natural,  but  a  becoming  sentiment ;  for  it  attests 
deep  affection,  and  with  this  latter  feeling  there  can  be 
no  grief  at  parting.  You  cannot  but  be  aware  that  the 
times  have  changed  during  the  past  two  years.  You, 
of  course,  cannot  understand  what  has  been  going  on ; 
but  you  do  know  that  something  has  happened,  and 
that,  of  no  ordinary  nature. 

"  A  great  war  is  now  progressing,  the  issue  of  wliich 
must  deeply  affect  your  future  destinies.  I  think  it 
will  inure  to  the  advantage  of  your  race,  as  it  is 
certamly  about  to  inui-e  to  your  benefit.  The  step  I 
am  about  to  take  is  not  made  on  the  impulse  of  the 
moment.     I  have  many  times  seriously  entertained  it. 

"  Before  the  war  began,  I  had  thought  of  it ;  but 
never,  until  this  moment,  have  I  been  able  to  see 
clearly,  that,  taking  everything  into  consideration,  it 
would  insure  you  any  real,  solid  advantages.  Now, 
however,  I  believe  it  to  be  my  duty  to  act,  be  the  con- 
sequences what  they  ma}*.  The  risk  is  great  —  for  my- 
self, as  well  as  for  you ;  but  no  great  enterprise  is  ever 
undertaken  without  danger.  We  must,  therefore,  not 
shrink,  when  duty  clearlj-  points  the  way. 

''  My  friends  —  surely  I  may  use  these  words,  there- 
fore, I  repeat  them  lovingly — my  friends,  I  am  now 


THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD.  149 

about  to  make  the  most  important  and   tremendous 
announcement  your  mortal  ears  can  ever  hear. 

"  Your  shackles  have  fallen  !  I,  your  earthly  master, 
pronounce  these  words  —  words  which  must  ever  sound 
sweetly  in  the  ears  of  men,  and  which  I  wish  to  engrave 
on  your  hearts  so  deeply  as  to  consecrate,  for  the 
remainder  of  your  lives,  this  day  and  hour. 

"  You  ARE  FEEE  ! 

"  As  free  as  I  can  make  you ;  as  free  as  I  am  ;  with 
the  same  kind  of  freedom ;  subject  only  to  God,  and  to 
the  laws  of  your  country.  In  assuming  the  control  of 
your  own  actions,  it  will  be  but  right  and  proper  for 
you  to  receive  with  attention,  and  I  hope,  with  respect, 
a  few  cautions  from  your  former  master — now  your 
oldest  and  best  friend. 

"You  must  not  misunderstand  the  meaning  of  the 
term  —  Freedom.  For  instance,  you  must  not  suppose 
that  it  gives  you  the  right  to  take  the  property  of 
others.  This  would  be  theft,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
law  of  God,  as  well  as  of  man. 

"  Nor,  must  you  think  that  freedom  means  that  you 
will  have  the  right  to  be  idle.  This  is  also  contrary  to 
the  law  of  God ;  for  did  he  not  say  to  Adam,  '  Cursed 
is  the  earth  in  thy  work ;  with  labor  and  toil  shalt  thou 
eat  thereof  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ? ' 

"Besides  being  opposed  to  the  command  of  our 
common  Master,  idleness  means  destitution,  and  even 
starvation ! 

"I  will  detain  you  no  longer,  but  will  simply  add, 
that  no  work  will  be  performed  on  the  plantation  for 
the  remainder  of  this  week.     Your  liberty  begins  from 


150  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

this  instant,  and  you  are  free  to  spend  your  time  as 
you  like.  In  the  meantime,  I  will  consult  Mr.  Ran- 
dolph, and  he  will  prepare  a  scale  of  prices  for  your 
future  services,  which  shall  be  adjusted  to  your  various 
capacities.  This  will  be  submitted  to  you  on  Monday, 
and  you  can  then  go  to  work  again,  or  not,  as  you 
see  fit. 

"  Now  I  would  like  to  have  you  all,  men,  women  and 
children,  come  forward  and  shake  hands  with  me ; 
showing  thereby,  that  none  of  you  entertain  the  slight- 
est ill-feelings  against  me  for  any  action  committed  in 
the  past." 

The  scene  which  followed  would  require  a  graphic 
pen.  We  will  not,  therefore,  attempt  to  prolong  it; 
but  will  be  contented  with  saying,  that  for  some 
moments  after  the  termination  of  Carew's  speech,  there 
was  a  profound  silence.  The  poor  creatures  were  spell- 
bound, and  unable  to  realize  their  changed  condition. 

Carew,  too,  was  deeply  aifected,  and  stood  with  his 
face  half  averted,  and  shaded  with  one  hand. 

The  silence  was  broken  by  loud  sobs  from  the 
women,  in  which  many  of  the  men  joined.  The  mul- 
titude, of  considerably  more  than  one  hundred,  then 
surged  to  and  fro  for  an  instant,  when  it  broke,  and 
moved  tumultuously  forward  around  the  master.  They 
seized  his  hands,  fell  on  the  ground  and  grasped  his 
knees,  clung  to  his  garments,  pressing  their  lips  to 
whatever  portions  of  his  person  they  could,  murmur- 
ing, amid  their  tears,  protestations  of  eternal  love  and 
fidelity. 

Finally,  the   scene   became   so   trying,  that   Carew 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  151 

could  endure  it  no  longer.  Gently  extricating  himself, 
he  moved  slowly  through  the  mass  of  upturned,  ebony 
faces,  and  stepped  under  the  arcade ;  then  turning,  he 
waved  his  hand  in  adieu,  and  rushed  into  the  house, 
—  to  his  room  —  whither,  at  so  solemn  a  moment,  we 
will  not  intrude. 

During  Carew's  speech  and  the  scene  which  followed 
its  termination,  Boiseau  and  Randolph  had  stood  silent 
and  astounded.  They  both  looked  upon  this  step  as 
one  bordering  on  madness.  Boiseau  thought  of  the 
unpopularity  which  would  be  his  friend's  misfortune  to 
bear,  as  the  first  of  a  long  and  evil  train  of  conse- 
quences succeeding  the  —  as  he  considered  it — Quix- 
otic action  of  the  day. 

Randolph,  too,  was  struck  with  deep  sorrow ;  but 
still,  he  felt  that  there  was  a  ray  of  hope,  for  he  had 
unbounded  confidence  in  the  judgment  of  his  young 
employer.  He  was,  therefore,  secretly  comforted  by 
the  assurance  —  or,  at  any  rate,  belief — that  all  was 
for  the  best,  and  would  come  right  in  the  end. 

Boiseau  was  the  first  to  speak,  as  they  both  instinct- 
ively stepped  into  the  hall,  leaving  the  negroes  outside. 

"  Of  all  the  eccentric  courses  of  which  Carew  has 
been  guilty,  this  is  the  most  near  in  its  approach  to 
insanity.  Why,  sir,"  continued  he,  "  not  satisfied  with 
throwing  away  this  morning,  at  the  lowest  calculation, 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  he  has  incurred  the 
bitter  and  unrelenting  enmity  of  his  neighbors  !  Who 
knows  how  this  will  end?  He  may  even  be  insulted 
and  ill-treated !  Besides,  what  is  to  become  of  these 
poor  wretches?     Will  they  return  to  their  labor,  or 


152  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

will  they  not  make  some  extravagant  use  of  their 
newly-found  freedom,  which  may  involve  their  former 
master,  as  well  as  themselves,  in  one  common  ruin  ?  " 

"I  scarcely  know  what  to  think  or  say,"  replied 
Randolph.  "My  brain  is  in  such  a  confused  state, 
that  it  refuses  to  suggest  a  course  out  of  this  matter. 
In  the  meantime,"  continued  the  practical  old  fellow, 
"I  will  send  these  niggers  j^acking  to  the  quarters." 

Stepping  outside  accordingly,  he  told  the  people  to 
go  quietly  to  their  homes.  As  soon  as  he  received 
orders  fi'om  Mr.  Carew  he  would  communicate  with 
them.  In  addition,  he  counselled  them  to  avoid  all  dis- 
putes, to  keep  themselves  decent  and  orderly,  and  not, 
for  the  present,  at  least,  to  go  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
estate. 

Having  thus  dismissed  the  negroes,  who  submissively 
dispersed  at  his  command,  the  old  man  re-entered  the 
mansion,  where  he  found  Boiseau  in  earnest  conversa- 
tion with  Carew,  who  had  descended  from  his  room 
while  he  was  outside.  Carew  turned  with  some  impa- 
tience from  Boiseau,  and  handed  a  paper  to  Randolph, 
stating  at  the  same  time,  that  he  would  find  therein 
detailed  instructions  as  to  the  policy  to  be  adopted  in 
the  future  management  of  the  estate,  together  with 
tables  of  wages  to  be  paid,  all  of  which,  he  said,  had 
been  matters  of  anxious  and  deliberate  reflection  for 
some  time  past. 

He,  however,  allowed  Randolph  the  privilege  of 
making  minor  alterations  in  the  rates  for  wages,  hours 
for  labor,  and  also  in  some  other  matters  which  his 
^ great  experience  might  suggest. 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  153 

This  ended,  he  turned  to  Boiseau  and  said:  "My 
dear  friend,  I  fully  appreciate  your  motives  in  remon- 
strating with  me  as  to  the  course  I  have  chosen  in 
liberating  my  slaves.  I  am  deeply  gratified  by  the 
solicitude  you  express  for  me.  I  know  you  are  anxious 
on  my  account,  as  I  should  be  for  you  under  similar 
circumstances ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  I  must  beg  you 
to  drop  this  subject. 

"  It  is  too  late,  even  were  it  desirable,  to  recall  the 
step  of  this  morning.  I  must  now  look  forward  with 
hope  to  the  future,  and  will  trust  to  God  for  the  rest. 

"  Now,"  continued  he,  "  let  us  shake  hands  and  say 
no  more." 

Boiseau  silently,  but  mournfully,  grasped  the  hand 
of  his  friend,  and  did  as  he  was  bid. 

Carew  then  announced  his  intention  of  returning  to 
New  Orleans,  alleging  that  he  did  not  feel  able  to 
endure  any  more  scenes  with  his  people,  and  that',  if  he 
remained,  they  could  not  be  avoided.  In  a  short  time 
all  this  would  wear  off,  and  when  matters  were  settled, 
and  the  laborers  resumed  work,  as  he  was  sure  they 
would,  he  would  return.  Then,  after  dinner,  in  which 
he  was  joined  by  his  friends,  he  took  his  departure. 


154  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

AN    HOUR     WITH    LINCOLN. 

"  TLL  news  travels  apace."     This  Carew  soon  discov- 

JL  ered.  The  extraordinary  step  he  had  taken  in 
emancipating  his  slaves,  had  spread  like  ^vildfire ;  the 
press  of  New  Orleans  seized  the  subject  with  avidity, 
and  hurled  their  puny  thunderbolts  at  his  devoted 
head. 

Society  was  full  of  gossip  about  Carew.  His  private 
affairs  were  fully  discussed ;  he  was  made  a  subject  of 
almost  universal  derision  and  scorn.  His  position 
became  in  a  few  days  so  unpleasant,  that  he  could  not 
walk  the  streets  of  his  native  town  without  being 
subjected  to  a  scrutiny  from  impertinent  passers  by, 
which  was  extremely  galling  to  his  sensitive  disposition. 

At  this  dark  period,  he  received  an  autograph  letter 
from  President  Lincoln  which  cheered  him  exceedingly, 
for  it  testified  that  the  whole  world  did  not  join  in 
condemning  him. 

This  letter  was  brief,  but  to  the  point.  It  stated  that 
the  writer  had  just  been  apprised,  through  the  columns 
of  the  New  York  "  Herald,"  of  Carew's  course  in 
freeing  his  slaves.  Mr.  Lincoln  went  on  to  say  that 
he  was  desirous  of  having  a  personal  interview  with 
him,  and  ended  by  requesting  him  to  visit  Washington 
at  as  early  a  day  as  possible. 

No  cry  of  "a  sail!  a  sail!"  ever  revived  the  spirits 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  155 

of  shipwrecked  men  on  a  desert  isle,  more  thoroughly 
than  did  this  letter  the  feelings  of  our  hero. 

As  may  be  readily  imagined  therefore,  Carew  lost  no 
time  in  obeying  the  summons  of  the  President.  He 
first  paid  a  hurried  visit  to  Court  Lodge,  to  attend  to 
some  necessary  business  there,  and  more  especially  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  how  matters  were  progressing 
under  the  new  regime.  He  found  everything  working 
smoothly  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  old  manager. 
Nothing  was  changed;  the  hours  of  labor  were  the 
same ;  the  only  alteration  was  with  respect  to  the  food 
supplies,  which  the  laborers  preferred  to  receive  and 
cook  for  themselves  —  whereas,  under  the  old  system, 
it  was  prepared  for  them  in  a  general  kitchen,  by  the 
plantation  cook. 

The  hands — men  and  women  —  had  all  gone  quietly 
to  work  at  the  stipulated  time,  with  the  exception  of 
one  shiftless  fellow,  who  had  never  been  amenable  to 
discipline,  even  under  the  rigid  regulations  of  the  slave 
code.  Mr.  Randolph  expressed  himself  as  being  rather 
gratified  than  otherwise,  on  getting  rid  of  "  that  nigger," 
as  he  termed  the  delinquent. 

We  will  now  follow  the  fortunes  of  our  hero  to  the 
National  Capital,  where  he  arrived  in  due  time. 

Much  to  his  surprise,  he  was  at  once  recognized  by 
the  attendants  in  the  ante-room  of  the  President,  and 
was  requested  to  walk  into  Mr.  Lincoln's  office.  The 
President  remembered  him  and  rose  as  he  advanced, 
greeting  him  in  the  most  flattering  terms. 

''  Now,  Mr.  Carew,"  said  he,  "  before  we  have  any 
conversation,  tell  me  at  what  hotel  you  are  stopping?" 


156  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

Carew  gave  him  the  required  information.  Mr. 
Lincohi  then  ordered  the  usher  to  send  immediately  for 
his  baggage,  indicating  at  the  same  time  the  room  in  the 
Presidential  mansion  to  which  it  should  be  assigned. 

Our  hero  stood  perfectly  confounded  and  doubted 
the  evidence  of  his  ears;  his  natural  modesty  was  so 
great  that  he  remained  silent,  overpowered  and  con- 
fused, as  a  sense  of  the  great  honor  intended  by  this 
unusual  course,  broke  upon  him. 

The  President,  with  the  kind  and  paternal  expression 
of  countenance  peculiar  to  liim,  read  his  feelings  and 
said: 

"Do  not  utter  a  word,  my  young  friend.  I  fully 
appreciate  your  sentiments  and  understand  your  posi- 
tion. Aside  from  my  desii'e  of  showing  you  some 
hospitality,  I  wish  the  world  to  know  that  your-  charac- 
ter and  actions  are  thoroughly  esteemed  and  approved 
by  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

"  Now,  I  must  dismiss  you  for  the  moment.  Go  to 
your  room  and  make  yourself  as  comfortable  as  you 
can  in  my  bachelor's  home,  as  Mrs.  Lincoln  is  now  in 
Chicago — much  to  my  regret,  for  I  desired  to  present 
you  to  her.  We  will  meet  at  dinner,  but  can  have 
little  or  no  oppertunity  for  conversation  there.  I  wish 
however  to  see  j'ou  particularly  this  evening  at  about 
ten  o'clock,  and  in  this  room.  I  have  something  to 
read  to  you  which  will,  I  am  sure,  prove  interesting  to 
you,  of  all  men." 

Wliile  thus  speaking,  the  President  bowed  kindly 
and  Carew  left  the  room. 

We  will  not  weary  the  reader  with  a  description 


THE    EAEL    OF    MATFIELD.  157 

of  onr  hero's  apartment;  nor  will  we  say  anything 
about  the  White  House  and  its  appointments.  There  is 
but  little  of  interest  about  the  building;  the  inmates 
are  the  only  portion  of  its  contents  worthy  of  mention. 

We  will  also  pass  over  even  the  dinners  in  silence, 
most  of  which,  during  Carew's  stay,  were  of  the  most 
formal  character,  attended  principally  by  foreign  Minis- 
ters and  distinguished  strangers.  There  was  an  air 
of  gloomy  depression  around  the  board,  caused  doubt- 
less by  the  dreadful  uncertainty  of  the  public  affairs. 

Lee  had  made  his  famous  inroad  into  Maryland; 
Gettysburg  had  not  yet  been  fought,  and  the  issue  was 
doubtful;  so  doubtful,  that  in  the  minds  of  many, 
Washington  itself  was  likely  to  fall. 

It  was  during  this  eventful  crisis  that  Carew  was 
the  guest  of  the  President.  We  may  therefore  be 
pardoned  for  supposing  that  the  reader  will  rather 
have  us  move  on  with  our  story  at  such  an  interesting 
period  of  history,  than  detain  him  with  a  long  account 
of  the  Executive  mansion  and  its  fittings,  the  more 
especially  that  he  or  she  is  probably  as  familiar  with 
the  building  as  we  are. 

Punctually  at  ten  that  evening,  did  our  hero  enter 
the  private  room  of  the  President,  which  he  desig- 
nated his  "office."  Mr.  Lincoln  was  already  there, 
busily  employed  in  reading  letters,  jotting  down  hasty 
memoranda  and  signing  documents  which  were  being 
placed  at  intervals,  by  his  Secretary,  at  his  side. 

Carew  remarked  that  he  did  not  put  his  signature 
to  any  paper  without  having  first  glanced  over  its 
contents ;  differing  in  this  respect  from  the  Secretary 


158  THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

of  the  Treasury,  who,  as  Carew  had  noticed  when  in 
his  office  on  a  previous  visit  to  AVashington,  frequently 
sio'ned  documents  without  readincr  them. 

Mr.  Lincoln  smilingly  motioned  his  visitor  to  a  seat, 
and  without  speaking,  continued  his  labors.  So  deeply 
interested  was  Carew  in  every  look  and  motion  of  this 
remarkable  man,  who  sat  calm,  peaceful  and  collected 
amid  the  mighty  matters  which  he  was  directing,  that 
he  did  not  remark  the  flight  of  time  and  was  startled 
by  the  clock  —  striking  eleven. 

The  President  now  looked  up  and  remarked  to  one 
of  the  officials  that  he  might  retire,  and  that  he  did  not 
wish  to  be  disturbed  for  the  remainder  of  the  night, 
unless  on  the  most  urgent  business,  "For  now,"  said 
he,  laughing,  "  that  those  scamps  are  in  Maryland,  I 
have  not  a  moment  I  can  call  my  own." 

"  Mr.  Carew,"  said  he,  addressing  our  hero,  "  have 
the  kindness  to  draw  your  chair  here  and  I  will  read 
to  you  the  text  of  a  proclamation  I  am  shortly  to  issue." 

He  then  proceeded  to  read  the  famous  Emancipation 
Proclamation,  which  sent  a  thrill  throughout  the  world 
at  the  time,  and  was  one  of  the  most  important  docu- 
ments ever  promulgated. 

Carew  listened,  as  may  be  easily  imagined,  with 
profound  attention,  and  when  Mr.  Lincoln  ceased 
reading,  sat  w^apt  in  his  own  reflections;  nor  did  he 
speak  until  the  President  asked  for  his  opinion.  He 
replied,  rising  as  he  spoke  and  facing  Mr.  Lincoln: 

''  It  is  the  most  powerful  weapon  you  can  use  against 
the  rebels;  they  no  longer  have  a  cause  to  fight  for. 
The  first  gun  was  fired  by  them  in  support   of    the 


TnE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  159 

institution  of  slavery,  which  they  believed  was  being 
slowly  but  surely  undermined.  Now  the  entire  fabric 
will  be  destroyed  by  a  stroke  of  your  pen.  I  know 
what  they  will  say  when  it  is  promulgated ;  they  will 
say  that  you  have  no  power  to  enforce  it;  but  never- 
theless, its  ultimate  effects  will  be  most  potent,  and  its 
immediate  effect  will  be  that  of  permanently  settling 
the  question  of  European  intervention. 

*'  You  will  also  soon  have  the  power  of  enforcing  the 
provisions  of  this  document ;  for,  in  my  opinion,  the 
Confederacy  is  a  shell— strong  on  its  circumference, 
but  hollow  within. 

"Mr.  President,  you  have  won  immortal  fame.  The 
name  of  Abraham  Lincoln  will  be  handed  down  to 
posterity,  and  revered  as  being  that  of  a  good  man." 

As  these  words  terminated  his  remarks,  Carew  began 
pacing  the  apartment  with  agitated  steps.  The  Presi- 
dent was  likewise  strongly  affected;  he  sat  motionless, 
shading  his  face  by  a  movement  from  the  light;  then 
suddenly  springing  up,  he  also  moved  about  the  room 
with  disordered  strides. 

For  some  minutes  neither  spoke.  Mr.  Lincoln  broke 
the  silence. 

"I  am  rejoiced  to  learn  that  you  appreciate  and 
approve  of  this  contemplated  action.  I  have,  thus 
far,  submitted  this  paper  to  very  few;  most  of  whom 
have  however  endorsed  it.  I  have  not  yet  laid  it 
before  the  Cabinet  as  a  body.  I  anticipate  much  oppo- 
sition when  I  do.  I  am  fuUy  resolved,  notwithstanding 
all  the  objections  which  can  be  urged,  to  carry  it  out. 
I  believe,  with  you,  that  it  will  prove  to  be  the  kev 


160  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

of  the  situation,  and  will  be,  as  you  have  just  said,  the 
most  powerful  and  effective  weapon  which  we  can 
forge  against  the  rebels." 

It  was  now  past  midnight.  Carew,  seeing  the  Presi- 
dent was  much  fatigued,  plead  a  slight  indisposition  on 
his  own  part,  and  requested  permission  to  retire.  His 
illustrious  host  readily  acquiescing,  each  betook  himself 
to  his  chamber;  but  our  hero  slept  not  that  night,  so 
excited  and  agitated  was  he  by  the  mighty  importance, 
in  its  consequences,  of  the  memorable  interview  just 
terminated. 

After  spending  another  day  as  an  inmate  of  the 
White  House,  our  hero  felt  that  he  would  not  be 
justified  in  remaining  longer.  He  therefore  sought  the 
first  opportunity  of  thanking  his  host  and  pleading 
business  engagements  in  New  York,  took  his  leave  for 
that  city.  He  took  quarters  at  a  prominent  hotel,  and 
spent  several  weeks  without  meeting  an  incident  worthy 
of  record. 

One  fine  morning,  as  he  was  sauntering  along 
Broadway,  he  was  accosted  by  a  one-armed  individ- 
ual in  threadbare  and  almost  tattered  garments.  Carew 
at  first  thought  him  a  beggar  and  made  a  movement 
towards  his  pocket.  This  the  man  quickly  checked  by 
calling  his  name,  and  asking  in  a  tremulous  tone, 
whether  it  was  possible  he  could  be  so  altered  as  to  be 
beyond  recognition. 

Thus  adjured,  Carew  examined  the  stranger  atten- 
tivel3^     Struck  b}^  a  sudden  recollection,  he  cried; 

"  Can  this  be  Charles  Brandon  ?  " 

"  As  surely  as  you  are  Thomas  Carew,  I  am  Charles 
Brandon." 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  161 

Then  ensued  a  hearty  greeting  between  the  two  old 
friends  and  schoohnates.  Brandon  was  the  son  of  a 
South  Carolina  planter.  He  naturally  espoused  the 
Southern  cause,  had  undergone  nian}^  privations,  been 
wounded  and  was  taken  from  the  battle  field  to  a 
Federal  hospital.  One  arm  had  been  amputated.  He 
had  then  been  released,  after  recovery,  from  the  hospital, 
and  was  now  utterly  destitute  and  friendless  in  the 
great  city.     This,  in  brief,  was  his  story. 

''And  now,"  said  he,  in  continuation  "this  meeting  is 
providential,  for  I  do  not  know  what  would  have  become 
of  me  otherwise." 

Our  hero  was  greatly  shocked  at  the  condition  of 
his  friend,  and  hailing  a  passing  hack,  hurriedly  bade 
him  enter,  and  ordered  the  driver  to  proceed  to  the 
hotel.  He  took  Brandon  to  his  own  room,  and  would 
scarcely  let  him  speak  until  he  had  a  bath  and  was  fully 
equipped  from  his  own  abundant  wardrobe.  Then  he 
insisted  on  his  taking  a  generous  glass  of  wine  and 
luncheon,  for  it  was  yet  too  early  for  dinner.  The  two 
friends  spent  the  day  together,  discussing  old  times  and 
their  several  adventures  during  the  stirring  period 
which  succeeded  the  outbreak  of  the  war. 

Brandon  w^as  a  true  Southern  hot-head,  and  was 
much  shocked  to  find  his  old  bosom  companion  so  far 
wandered  from  his  own  political  ideas.  He,  however, 
esteemed  Carew  too  highly  to  allow  these  feelings  to 
interfere  with  friendship.  Nor  did  they  discuss  the 
situation.  This  was  a  neutral  ground  which  they  both 
deemed  it  wise,  for  the  present  at  least,  to  avoid. 

Brandon  at  first  wished  to  attempt  a  return  home, 
10 


162  TUE     EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

but  this  was,  in  his  feeble  state  of  health,  both  difficult 
and  injudicious.  Carew  pressed  him  to  remain  and 
share  his  own  fortunes.  To  this  Brandon  would  not 
agree.  He  was  too  high  spirited  to  become  a  pensioner 
on  the  bounty  of  even  his  best  friend.  After  some 
discussion,  it  was  finally  settled  that  he  should  be 
Carew's  secretary  and  book-keeper  at  a  stipulated 
salary.  These  duties  he  was  fully  competent  to  perform, 
having  an  excellent  education  and,  besides  this,  writing 
a  beautiful  hand — this  latter  accomplishment  being  of 
great  advantage  to  his  employer,  whose  scrawls  were 
almost  illegible.  Thus  Brandon  became  part  and  parcel 
of  our  hero's  establishment,  and  henceforth  traveled 
with  his  employer. 

This  being  the  warm  season,  Carew  determined  to 
remain  North  for  some  time  longer,  and  was  on  the 
eve  of  visiting  his  home  near  Saratoga,  when  an  event 
occurred  which  again  carried  him  to  Washington. 

De  Lancey,  who  had  remained  in  the  Capital  for 
several  months,  and  contemplated  taking  up  his  resi- 
dence there,  called  upon  him. 

"Why,  De  Lancey,"  said  Carew,  "I  thought  you  still 
in  Washington  ! " 

"  So  I  have  been,  but  I  have  received  such  an  impor- 
tant document  from  New  Orleans  that  I  thought  it  best 
to  come  here  and  submit  it  to  you  before  taking  action. 
Here  it  is,*'  continued  De  Lancey,  handing  over  a 
lengthy  paper;  "it  speaks  for  itself."' 

Carew  hastily  glanced  over  the  paper,  which  was  a 
petition,  addressed  to  the  President,  and  signed  by 
about  a  dozen  of  well-known  loyal  citizens  of  New 
Orleans. 


T  HE     E  A  K  L    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D  .  163 

It  set  forth  the  unhappy  condition  of  the  military 
situation  at  that  point.  It  stated  that,  under  the  unfor- 
tunate administration  of  General  Banks,  the  rebels  had 
gradually  driven  in  the  Federal  lines  until  the  city  itself 
was  now  being  menaced,  and  wound  up  with  the  request 
that  a  large  reinforcement  of  troops  was  absolutely 
essential,  if  the  government  designed  the  retention  of 
so  important  a  post. 

Carew's  cheek  paled  as  he  read  this  paper,  every 
word  of  which  he  realized  to  be  true,  as  Banks  had 
himself  admitted  reverses  and  asked  for  additional  men. 

"  What  do  you  propose  ?  "  said  he  to  De  Lancey. 

"I  wish  you  to  accompany  me  at  once,  to  lay  this 
paper  before  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  to  second  it  with  your 
influence." 

"You  over  estimate  my  influence,"  "replied  Carew. 
"  However,  I  will  go  with  you  this  evening  and  do  what 
I  can." 

He  then  directed  Brandon,  who  had  just  entered,  to 
make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  departure,  Brandon 
himself  being  ordered  to  the  house  near  Saratoga,  there 
to  await  his  employer's  arrival,  as  he  did  not  expect  to 
remain  more  than  one  day  in  Washington. 

De  Lancey  and  Carew  accordingly  departed  on  their 
important  mission,  but,  after  reaching  Wilmington,  the 
route  seemed  to  be  completely  disorganized.  Every- 
thing was  blocked  by  the  movements  of  large  bodies  of 
troops  in  the  direction  of  the  Capital.  So  much  confu- 
sion prevailed  that  the  friends  did  not  reach  Washington 
until  late  in  the  afternoon,  having  been  twice  as  long  on 
the  way  as  was  usual.  By  the  time  they  reached  the 
hotel  and  dined,  it  was  dark. 


164  THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

De  Lancey  wished  to  wait  until  the  next  day  before 
presenting  the  petition  to  the  President.  Carew,  how- 
ever, insisted  upon  immediate  action,  feeling  sure  he 
could  obtain  an  audience  that  evening.  In  pursuance 
of  this  plan  they  proceeded  to  the  Executive  Mansion, 
noting,  as  they  passed,  the  sentries  posted  at  the 
Treasury  and  other  departments,  and  also  the  sand-bags 
piled  near  the  different  doors  —  everything  denoting  a 
feverish  state  of  apprehension  and  preparation  for 
defence. 

Arrived  at  the  White  House,  they  found  no  one  to 
challenge  their  entrance.  Everything  was  quiet.  It 
seemed  uninhabited,  and,  but  for  an  occasional  light 
which  glimmered  from  the  mansion,  apparently  uncon- 
cerned, as  though  no  hostile  and,  possibly,  triumphant 
army  was  within  a  few  miles. 

The  entrance  was  closed,  but  not  fastened.  Carew 
pushed  it  gently  open  and  found  the  hall  within  lighted, 
with  a  servant  in  waiting.  This  man,  luckily,  recog- 
nized our  hero,  and  willingh'  carried  the  cards  of  the 
visitors  to  the  President's  secretary,  who  directed  that 
the  gentlemen  be  shown  up.  This  person  was  well 
acquainted  with  both  De  Lancey  and  Carew,  but 
demurred  to  taking  their  names  to  the  President,  who, 
he  said,  was  fatigued  to  the  last  degree,  and  was, 
besides,  now  much  occupied.  On  making  known  to 
him  the  nature  of  their  ^^sit,  he  relented  and  entered 
the  President's  room,  returning  almost  immediately 
with  the  request  for  them  to  follow  him. 

The  friends  found  Mr.  Lincoln  entirely  alone,  sur- 
rounded by  papers,  and  evidently  much  fatigued.     Llis 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  165 

homely  features  wore  a  haggard  expression,  exceedingly 
painful  to  look  upon.  He,  however,  looked  up,  with  a 
cheerful  smile,  which  never  deserted  him,  even  under 
the  most  trying  circumstances,  and  greeted  his  visitors 
kindly,  rising  almost  immediately  and  taking  each  by 
the  hand. 

Carew,  who  felt  that  they  had  no  right  to  trespass  a 
moment  longer  than  was  absolutely  necessary  upon  his 
valuable  time,  said : 

"Mr.  President,  we  have  ventured  to  intrude  upon 
you  at  this  unseasonable  hour  solely  in  consequence  of 
having  been  entrusted  b}^  our  fellow-citizens  of  New 
Orleans  with  this  petition,  addressed  to  yourself.  I 
will  make  no  remarks  beyond  the  statement  that,  in 
our  opinion,  every  word  contained  in  this  document  is 
literally  and  absolutely  true." 

Mr.  Lincoln  silently  extended  his  hand  by  way  of 
reply  and  received  the  petition.  Seating  himself  by  the 
light,  he  read,  attentively,  the  paper  from  end  to  end. 
Its  perusal  finished,  he  laid  it  on  the  table,  removed  his 
glasses  and  remained  silent,  absorbed  in  thought.  Carew 
saw,  or  fancied  he  saw,  the  President  glance  furtively 
at  his  visitors.  Finally,  Mr.  Lincoln  sprang  to  his  feet 
and  paced  the  apartment  with  uneven  steps,  when, 
apparently,  having  arrived  at  a  sudden  determination, 
he  halted  abruptly  before  the  two  gentlemen  and  spoke 
as  follows : 

"Surely  I  can  speak  freely  to  both  of  you.  If  you 
are  not  to  be  trusted,  to  whom  then  can  I  address 
myself  with  confidence?  You  have  both  been  loyal 
and  true  while  surrounded  by  calamity  and  temptation. 


166  THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

Do  not  answer/'  continued  he,  hastily,  seeing  that  De 
Lancey  was  about  to  speak.  "  You  can  tell  me  nothing 
in  favor  of  yourselves  that  I  do  not  know  and  feel  to  be 
true  in  advance.  I  will  now  go  directly  to  the  point 
without  further  circumlocution. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  he,  in  continuation,  slowly  and 
impressively,  "  the  destinies  of  the  nation  hang  upon  a 
thread.  Even  while  Ave  confer  here  that  thread  ma}^ 
have  been  severed,  and  the  eneni}^  may  now  —  at  this 
very  instant,  I  repeat — he  may  be  marching  upon  this 
city ! 

"  Why,  then,  under  such  an  app,alling  state  of  facts, 
should  we  be  discussing  the  propriet}^  of  sending  troops 
to  such  a  distant  part  as  Louisiana?  No,  I  cannot  do 
it.  We  must  wait  and  see  the  issue  of  this  campaign  in 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  before  we  can  undertake 
more.  I  tell  you,  my  friends,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  glanc- 
ing nervously  around  and  sinking  his  voice  to  a  whisper, 
"if  Stonewall  Jackson  gets  into  ]\IcClellan's  rear,  the 
bottom  is  out,  and  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  troops 
in  New  Orleans,  for  the  end  will  have  come  I " 

This  was  indeed  startling  news.  His  hearers  could 
scarcely  believe  their  senses.  They  were  fully  aware, 
of  course,  that  several  great  battles  would  have  to  be 
fought  near  the  Capital,  but  it  never  occurred  to  them 
for  an  instant  that  such  tremendous  issues  were  at  stake 
—  on  the  cast  of  a  die,  as  it  were — as  the  absolute 
termination  of  the  war,  and  that,  too,  adversely  to  the 
cause  of  the  Union.  Before  either  of  them  could 
recover  his  confused  thoughts  sufficiently  to  speak, 
Mr.  Lincoln  resumed : 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  167 

"  You  are  astounded  !  Well,  you  may  be  !  Yet,  do 
not  understand  me  as  being  entirely  hopeless.  God  and 
the  right  are  on  our  side,  and  I  have  a  firm  faith  in  the 
ultimate  result.  I  know  I  can  trust  you  implicitly. 
Keep  this  conversation  sacred  till  the  crisis  is  over.  I 
promise  you  both  faithfully  that,  if  we  are  successful  in 
driving  the  rebels  back  to  Virginia  and  save  Washing- 
ton, I  will  send  thirty  thousand  fresh  troops  to  New 
Orleans.  'Now  you  must  go,  I  have  much  to  do  to- 
night. My  advice  to  you  is  that  you  leave  Washington 
this  very  night.  Do  not  stop  this  side  of  New  York. 
It  is  no  part  of  your  duty,  as  it  is  mine,  to  stay  here. 
Now  go  !     Adieu ! " 

He  pushed  Carew,  with  these  words,  gentl}^  towards 
the  door.  The  two  friends  went  out,  as  they  were  bid, 
silent,  confused  and  disheartened.  Neither  of  them  ever 
saw  Abraham  Lincoln  again ! 


168  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

.   FOR    LACK    OF    HAPPINESS. 

ALTHOUGH  we  are  making  history  and  are,  of 
course,  writing  nothing  but  what  may  be  fully 
established  on  the  most  indisputable  authority,  we  will 
so  far  condescend  to  use  the  license  of  writers  of  fiction 
as  to  take  the  liberty  of  now  moving  our  plot  forward 
for  the  period  of  nearly  two  years,  for  this  time  has 
elapsed  since  we  left  our  hero  in  what  then  seemed 
to  be  a  dangerous  position  in  Washington.  We  do  this 
the  more  readily,  that  we  may  not  run  the  risk  of  trjdng 
the  patience  of  our  reader  to  such  an  extent  that  he, 
or  she,  may  be  tempted  to  throw  our  poor  work  aside, 
and  thus  consis^n  it  to  oblivion. 

We  now  find  ourselves  at  the  termination  of  the 
great  civil  war.  Lee  had  surrendered  ;  sanguine  lovers 
of  the  Union  and  liberty  had  begun  to  hope  that  the 
Ship  of  State  would  henceforth  sail  in  smooth  waters; 
but  this  was  not  to  be  !  Like  a  thunderbolt  came  the 
dreadful  assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  followed 
by  the  advent  of  Mr.  Johnson,  with  his  devious  ways 
and  want  of  a  fixed  policy. 

It  may  be  safely  assumed  that  no  greater  calamity, 
short  of  absolute  annihilation,  ej^^er  overtook  a  nation, 
than  was  suffered  by  the  United  States  in  the  loss  of 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  alone,  of  all  men,  possessed 
both  the  ability  and  the  full  confidence  of  all  classes  — 


THE     EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  169 

South  as  well  as  North — to  a  sufficient  extent  to  enable 
^iiim  to^  <3any  out  a  policy  of  combined  kindness  and 
firmness  toward  the  conquered  States ;  a  polic}^  which 
would  have  satisfied  the  South,  because  it  would  thereby 
gain  more  than  could  have  been  reasonably  expected 
after  having  experienced  such  total  subjection  by  the 
sword ;  and  which  would  also  have  satisfied  the  victo- 
rious, but  magnanimous  North,  because  they  had  most 
unlimited  confidence  in  the  tried  ability  and  patriotism 
of  their  great  leader ! 

Mr.  Lincoln  would  have  made  a  point  of  recognizing 
and  rewarding  the  firm  fidelity  of  the  Southern  loyal- 
ists. It  is  quite  true  that,  when  the  end  of  the  war 
drew  near,  and  it  was  easy  to  see  how  it  would  termi- 
nate, a  large  number  of  worthless  members  of  Southern 
society  proclaimed  themselves  loyal,  protesting  loudly, 
at  all  times  and  places,  that  they  had  always  been  faith- 
ful to  the  Union.  This  class,  of  course,  was  worthy 
only  of  the  contempt  of  all  good  men. 

It  was,  however,  an  easy  matter  to  find  the  citizens 
who  had  never  served  the  rebel  cause ;  in  word,  or  in 
deed;  they  scarcely  exceeded  a  dozen  in  each  of  the 
seceded  States.  They  were  well  known  by  name  as 
well  as  by  character. 

With  few  exceptions,  they  were  men  of  ability  and 
worth,  and  had  been  recognized  as  such  before  they 
became  unpopular  with  their  fellow-citizens  of  the 
South,  because  of  fealty  to  the  Union. 

These  men,  we  repeat,  would  have  been  sustained  by 
Mr.  Lincoln  at  all  hazards ;  but  the  Presidential  mantle 
fell  upon  unworthy   shoulders.     Were  it  not   almost 


170  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

blasphemy  to  use  the  expression,  we  would  say,  that 
Mr.  Johnson  was  not  worthy  to  loose  the  hitchet  of  the" 
shoes  of  his  great  predecessor ! 

He  not  only  did  not  reward  the  loyal  men  of  the 
South,  but  even  went  so  far,  and  was  so  ungrateful,  as 
to  neglect  the  very  soldiers  of  the  Union  armies,  but 
for  whose  faithful  and  devoted  services,  he  would  never 
have  enjoyed  possession  of  the  exalted  position  of 
President. 

It  is  not  however,  our  purpose  to  carry  the  reader 
further  into  the  history  of  the  times  than  is  needed  for 
a  clear  com^^rehension  of  the  actions  and  surroundings 
of  the  personages  connected  with  our  story.  We  shall 
therefore  place  this  portion  of  our  chapter  in  New 
Orleans,  where  we  find  our  hero  leading  a  most  irk- 
some and  unsatisfactory  life. 

He  was  overlooked  and  neglected  by  his  government, 
for  which  he  had  suffered  so  much,  and  was,  on  the 
other  hand,  neglected  by  his  rebellious  fellow-citizens. 
This  treatment,  however,  he  did  not  complain  of,  unjust 
though  it  was,  for  he  had  as  good  a  right  to  his  political 
opinions  as  they  to  theirs,  and  had  far  more  at  stake 
than  most  citizens;  still,  we  repeat,  this  he  did  not 
complain  of,  as  he  thoroughly  understood  the  mercurial 
disposition  and  inconsequential  reasoning  of  the  aver- 
age human  mind.  He  had,  for  some  time,  been  living 
like  a  hermit  in  his  native  city ;  he  rarely  went  out  and 
received  only  the  visits  of  a  few  tried  friends,  who 
recognized  and  appreciated  his  worth. 

Carew  did  not  seclude  himself  from  motives  of  fear, 
nor  did  he  anticipate  personal  insult  or  violence ;  but 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  171 

his  disposition  was  exceedingly  sensitive,  and  he  could 
not  bear  to  live  in  a  community  which  had  ceased 
to  respect  him. 

His  sole  misfortune  consisted  in  being  some  years  in 
advance,  politically,  of  his  Southern  brethren.  He  was 
fully  satisfied  that  time  would  bring  the  strongest 
advocates  of  slavery  around  to  the  belief,  that  the 
institution  had  been  a  political  error  and  a  moral 
curse ! 

He  finally  came  to  the  determination  of  closing 
his  city  residence,  leaving,  as  he  had  done  during  his 
absence  in  the  rebel  army,  only  a  couple  of  servants  in 
charge,  and  retiring  to  Court  Lodge,  there  to  take  up 
his  residence  for  an  indefinite  period.  This  was  a  sad 
blow  to  his  ambition  ! 

He  had  formed  many  plans  for  entering  into  political 
life ;  he  had  anticipated  a  very  different  course  of 
policy  on  the  part  of  the  Government  towards  the 
conquered  States;  he  naturally  supposed  that  while 
those  citizens  who  had  been  in  armed  rebellion  would 
be  allowed  to  return  home  and  resume  their  former 
peaceful  avocations,  yet  they,  or  at  any  rate,  the  more 
prominent  among  their  leaders,  would  be  debarred  from 
all  political  aspirations,  if  not  for  life,  at  least  until 
they  proved  by  word  and  action  their  dispositions  to  be 
fully  purged  from  the  heresy  of  rebellion,  and  they, 
once  more,  were  fitted  to  exercise  the  rights  of  citizen- 
ship. 

Another  bitter  pill  to  our  hero  was  the  extension  of 
the  suffrage  to  the  negroes ;  this  was  not  only  a  gross 
political  blunder,  but  a  great  wrong,  both  to  the  negro 


172  THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

and  to  his  white  fellow-citizen  of  the  South ;  for  it  was 
manifest  that  the  former,  in  his  ignorant  and  barbarous 
condition,  must  necessarily  become  the  dupe,  as  well  as 
the  instrument,  of  designing  demagogues,  and  would 
be  tauglit  by  them  to  look  upon  their  former  masters 
with  suspicion  and  hatred. 

It  was  also  a  great  wrong  perpetrated  upon  the 
whites  of  the  South,  for  it  placed  them,  practically,  at 
the  mercy  of  their  former  slaves,  who  might,  under  the 
influence  of  bad  men,  vote  solidly  against  any  and 
every  interest  advocated  by  the  whites,  and  which  they 
could  be  readily  made  to  believe,  was  antagonistic  to 
the  rights  of  their  own  race. 

This  extension  of  suffrage  was  even  more  than  a 
blunder !  it  was  a  crime !  because  this  right  was  not 
given  them  solely  as  a  means  of  enabling  them  to  pro- 
tect themselves,  or  as  a  partial  recompense  for  many 
years  of  servitude  and  suffering;  but  it  wms  given 
them  for  the  purpose  of  retaining  the  balance  of  power 
in  the  Southern  States  in  the  hands  of  the  leaders  of 
the  victorious  party ! 

We  might  dilate  indefinitely  upon  this  interesting 
theme ;  it  would,  however,  be  foreign  to  the  design  of 
our  story  to  digress  more  than  is  essential  to  put  our 
hero's  political  position  and  opinions  fully  on  record, 
we  will  therefore  return  to  his  determination  to  leave 
the  city  and  accompan}^  him  to  his  country  home. 

In  an  early  chapter  we  promised  a  brief  description 
of  the  estate  and  mansion  of  Court  Lodo-e.  This  mag- 
nificent  estate  had  been  granted,  under  the  Spanish 
domination  of  the  territory  of  Louisiana,  to  a  Cuban 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  173 

gentleman  who  had  been  a  planter  in  that  island,  and 
was  a  favorite  of  one  of  the  early  Governors,  or  rather, 
the  Captain  General. 

The  property  covered  an  area  of  about  three  thou- 
sand acres.  It  was  a  parallelogram  in  shape,  fronting, 
with  one  of  the  narrows  ends,  on  the  Mississippi  river 
for  twenty-five  acres,  and  extending  back  for  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres,  or  nearly  five  miles.  About 
one-third  of  this  area  was  cultivable  land  —  extending 
from  the  banks  of  the  river  back,  thus  giving  some- 
thing more  than  one  thousand  acres  of  arable  land  in  a 
solid  body,  and  which  was  as  productive  as  could  be 
found  in  the  world.  Back  of  this  stretched  an  inter- 
minable and,  practically,  almost  inexhaustible  cypress 
swamp,  which  supplied  the  estate  with  all  the  lumber 
and  fuel  required  for  its  varied  operations. 

In  the  very  centre  of  the  cultivable  land  was  placed 
the  sugar  house,  an  immense  structure,  four  hundred 
feet  in  length,  sixty  feet  broad,  and  two  stories  high. 
It  was  constructed  of  brick,  in  a  plain  but  substantial 
manner,  and  covered  with  a  slated  roof. 

On  one  end  of  this  building,  and  forming  the  small 
end  of  the  letter  L,  was  the  shed  for  storing  the  canes, 
prior  to  their  conversion  into  sugar.  This  was  built 
entirely  of  iron,  with  a  semicircular  roof,  and  supported 
upon  columns  of  the  same  material.  This  huge  affair 
covered  just  one  acre  square  in  superficial  area. 

The  sugar  house  was  filled  with  all  of  the  best  and 
most  modern  appliances  for  making  white  sugar,  and  it 
had  cost  an  immense  sum.  We  will  not  disgust  the 
reader  with  a  minute  description  of  the  various  ma- 


174  THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  1) . 

chines  used  in  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  the  raw 
canes  into  the  finished,  snow-white  product  found  on 
the  breakfast  table,  but  will  rest  content  with  the  state- 
ment that  Court  Lodge  was  one  of  the  few  model  plan- 
ta':ions  of  Louisiana. 

The  negro  quarters  were  also  built  of  brick,  and 
covered  a  large  area,  for  they  were  not  only  of  suffi- 
cient extent  for  the  comfortable  accommodation  of 
nearly  two  hundred  souls,  but  to  each  building  was 
assigned  two  acres  of  land,  one  for  each  of  the  two 
families  quartered  in  every  cottage.  This  land  they 
were  permitted  to  use  as  it  best  pleased  themselves,  the 
only  stipulation  on  the  part  of  the  master  being  in 
favor  of  cleanliness. 

The  other  buildings  of  the  estate  which  were  neces- 
sary for  its  equipment,  such  as  the  manager's  residence, 
stables  for  horses,  cows  and  mules,  the  saw-mill,  etc., 
we  will  not  describe,  further  than  by  the  statement, 
that  all  were  well  constructed  and  amply  sufficient  for 
the  requirements  of  so  large  an  estate. 

We  now  come  to  the  mansion,  its  grounds  and  its 
furnishing,  to  which  we  shall  devote  a  short  space, 
hoping  that  we  shall  not  tire  the  kind  reader,  for  the 
establishment  was  unique,  and  worthy  of  a  short 
description. 

Situated  at  about  three  hundred  yards  back  of  the 
public  thoroughfare,  Avhich  here  runs  near  to  and  parallel 
with  the  water's  edge,  stood  the  mansion,  elevated  upon 
an  artificial  mound  of  twelve  feet  in  height,  and  which 
descended  in  a  succession  of  graceful  terraces,  with 
stone  steps  and  balustrades,  from  each  of  its  four  sides. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  175 

except  upon  the  front  of  the  building ;  there  it  sloped 
gradually  down  to  the  level  grounds  which  stretched 
around. 

This  residence  had  been  erected  by  the  original 
owner,  who  was,  as  we  stated  before,  a  Cuban.  He 
had  both  wealth  and  taste;  everything  about  the  house 
was  of  the  best.  It  was  two  stories  in  height,  exclu- 
sive of  the  basement,  of  ten  feet  in  height,  and  concealed 
within  the  mound  on  which  the  house  was  built. 

The  best  idea  of  its  size  could  be  had  from  the  flat 
tiled  roof;  we  will  therefore,  in  imagination,  enter  the 
broad  central  hall,  which  extended  through  the  entire 
depth  of  the  mansion,  and  was  nearly  thirty  feet  in 
width,  with  a  noble  marble  pavement  of  various  colors 
and  patterns.  This  hall  rose  to  the  roof,  unobstructed 
save  by  a  balcony  around  the  first  floor,  giving  access 
to  its  apartments.  A  grand  double  staircase  of  marble 
sprang  from  the  rear  end  of  the  hall,  and  branching 
right  and  left  in  its  ascent,  opened  directly  upon  the 
roof,  ending  in  a  beautiful  dome  covered  with  stained 
glass;  this  served  the  double  purpose  of  protecting  the 
stairs  from  the  weather,  and  at  the  same  time  licrhtincr 
them  with  a  flood  of  subdued  colors.  "^        "^ 

The  roof  was  constructed  of  smooth,  glazed  tiles 
and  was  apparently  as  level  as  a  billiard  table,  though 
there  was  a  gentle  inclination  to  each  side,  sufficient  to 
throw  the  rain  off;  an  elegant  stone  rail,  handsomely 
carved,  extended  around  the  four  sides,  even  with  the 
edge,  giving  a  noble  finish,  both  to  the  eye  of  the 
observer  within,  as  well  as  from  the  grounds  without. 
The  mansion  was  something  more  than  one  hundred 


176  THE     EAKL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

feet  square,  and  from  its  foundation  stone  to  the  top  of 
the  rail  on  the  roof,  was  scarcely  less  than  half  the 
same  number  of  feet. 

The  view  from  the  roof  was  superb,  embracing,  as  it 
did,  the  windings  of  the  majestic  JNIississippi,  with  the 
blue  waters  of  Lake  Pontchartrain  in  the  vague  dis- 
tance, separated  from  the  river  by  a  strip  of  alternate 
arable  land  and  swamp  of  about  six  miles  in  width. 
On  another  side  was  presented  the  cultivated  fields  of 
the  estate,  the  sugar  cane,  as  it  approached  maturity, 
undulating  in  a  gentle  breeze,  like  the  waves  of  a  min- 
iature lake. 

Around  the  mansion  lay  the  grounds,  in  the  rear  — 
that  portion  towards  the  river  —  they  were  arranged  in 
.he  French  style,  with  formal  walks,  paved  with  large 
tiles,  and  filled  with  almost  every  known  tree,  shrub,  and 
flower.  Many  of  these  trees  and  shrubs  were  cut  into 
■fantastic  shapes;  here  and  there  stood  a  vase,  or  a 
statue,  all  of  marble,  while  in  the  very  centre  a  beau- 
utiful  bronze  fountain  threw  its  limpid  waters  aloft, 
in  a  single  jet,  which  rose  nearly  level  with  the  roof 
of  the  mansion,  its  water,  as  well  as  that  used  in  the 
house,  being  supplied  from  a  tank  under  the  roof,  into 
which  was  conducted  and  accumulated  the  rain  as  it 
fell  on  its  surface. 

This  fountain,  with  its  accessories  of  water  pipes, 
tanks  and  baths,  was  an  addition  by  Carew's  father. 
The  French  garden  was  laid  out  at  the  same  period 
with  the  house  itself,  and  was  then  its  sole  ornament. 
Mr.  Carew  did  not  wish  to  abolish  it,  thouo-h  not  in 
accordance  with  his  English  tastes ;  he  therefore  changed 


THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD.  I77 

the  front  of  the  mansion  toward  the  opposite  direction, 
and  made  on  that  side  an  extensive  plantation  of  trees 
covering,  witli  the  lawn,  drives  and  walks,  above  one' 
iunidred  acres. 

This  large  space  might  have  been  termed  a  park,  but 
was  more  modestly  denominated  "the  lawn"  In  it 
grazed  a  number  of  fine  cattle,  the  sires  of  which  had 
been  ■mported  from  England.  There  had  also  been  a 
small  herd  of  deer  in  former  years,  but  these  had  been 
tound  too  troublesome  and  were  done  away  with 

Scattei-ed  about  the  grounds  were  large  numbers  of 

farT        1  TT^'  ''"'''  ''''  P''°'^"°<'  fr^"^  ^-hi^h  went 
for  toward  defraying  the  expense  of  maintaining  them 
There  was,  :n  the  French  garden,  a  handsome  conserva- 
tory  of  glass  and  wood,  though  the  delicious  mildness 
o±  the  chmate  rendered  it  of  little  use 

We  have  devoted  more  space  than  was  anticipated  to 
th.s  descnption  of  Court  Lodge,  and  will  terminate  this 
chapter  by  simply  saying,  that  as  its  exterior  and  sur- 
roundmgs  were  unique  and  noble,  so  its  interior  finish 
and  turniture  were  modern  and  elegant. 

The  library  was  a  noble  apartment,  filled  with  several 
thmisand  volumes,  selected  by  Carew's  father;  adjoin- 

In  short,  the  youthful  proprietor  of   this  splendid 

lent  to       r  ,     T-/  '"""■^'-     ^'  '''^"^  b"t  one  ele- 
ment to  make  h.s  Me  an  idyl;  that  one  thing  wanting 

tlie  want  of— happiness! 


178  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

LIFE     AT     COURT     LODGE. 

OUR  hero  determined  upon  shaking  off  the  past; 
both  in  thought  as  well  as  he  had  already  done 
in  action.  ''If  my  fellow  citizens,"  said  he,  "will  only 
allow  me  to  live  here  in  peace,  I  will  promise  not  to 
meddle  wdth  politics  again.  The}-  are  convinced  that  I 
can  do  the  South  no  good,  and,  for  my  part,  I  am  con- 
vinced I  can  do,  and,  in  fact,  have  done,  myself  much 
harm,  by  attempting  to  advance  the  interests  of  my 
native  section.  Therefore,  to  'step  from  the  sublime  to 
the  ridiculous,'  I  will  compare  myself  to  Napoleon  at 
St.  Helena,  and  shall  in  future  occupy  myself  with  the 
farm." 

His  faithful  friend,  Boiseau,  approved  highly  of  tliis 
resolution,  feeling  sure  it  was  the  wisest  course  which 
could  be  adopted,  under  the  circumstances.  He  was 
also  certain  that  if  Carew  could  be  satisfied  to  remain 
secluded,  and,  for  a  time,  abstain  from  all  connection 
with  public  affairs,  the  people  would  soon  return  to 
their  senses  and  realize  that  he  had  acted  solely  from 
the  highest  motives,  and  with  the  intention  of  pro- 
tecting their  best  interests. 

Carew,  as  well  as  his  father  before  him,  had  formerly 
been  extremely  popular  with  the  people,  and  was  highly 
respected  by  all  classes.  He  had  liberally  expended 
his  large  revenues  without   ostentation.     His   pocket 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  179 

was  always  open  to  legitimate  appeals  for  assistance 
from  the  destitute. 

Boiseau  made  every  exertion  to  have  time  pass 
smoothly  for  his  friend.  He  devoted  all  the  time — and 
that  was  a  great  deal — he  could  spare  from  business, 
to  Carew,  and  almost  lived  at  Court  Lodge. 

Carew  adopted  all  the  country  customs.  He  rose 
early,  took  a  ride  on  horseback  before  breakfast,  had 
his  meals  three  times  a  day,  instead  of  only  twice,  as 
had  been  his  habit  in  the  city,  and,  in  short,  adapted 
himself  entirely  to  his  new  life,  much  to  the  delight  of 
Randolph,  for  the  old  manager  said  he  could  now  shirk 
his  duties  a  little ;  Mr.  Carew  was  about  so  much,  and 
caught  up  with  the  routine  of  work  on  the  plantation 
so  quickly  and  thoroughly,  that  it  left  him  but  little 
to  do. 

Whitefield,  also,  paid  him  frequent  visits  from  New 
Orleans.  This  gentleman  was  exceedingly  fond  of 
country  life,  and,  aside  from  his  friendship  for  Carew, 
and  desire  to  be  with  him  as  much  as  possible,  declared 
that  life  at  Court  Lodge  presented  his  heau  ideal  of 
existence,  and  that  he  would  never  leave  such  a  para- 
dise, did  he  own  it. 

Other  friends  would  also  occasionally  visit  our  hero. 
Most  of  these  were  from  the  North,  attracted  partly  b}^ 
a  desire  to  see  Carew,  of  whom  much  had  been  said  in 
the  press ;  but  more  came,  we  suspect,  for  the  purpose 
of  enjoying  his  profuse  hospitality,  and  also  to  examine 
the  beautiful  estate,  famed,  as  it  was,  far  and  wide. 

Be  their  motives  what  they  might,  their  host  asked 
no  questions,  and  treated  all  comers  with  the  utmost 


180  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

attention.  Excursions  were  made  to  the  lakes  and 
other  points  of  interest  near  by ;  hunts  were  organized 
in  the  swamps  and  lagoons,  where  deer  abounded; 
sails  on  the  river  were  indulged  in,  and  everything  was 
done  which  could  contribute  to  the  pleasure  and  com- 
fort of  the  guests. 

One  of  these  excursions,  as  a  sample,  we  shall  re- 
serve for  description  in  a  future  chapter,  as  we  prefer 
reserving  this  for  Court  Lodge  and  its  daily  routine. 

In  all  these  plans,  pour  passer  le  temps,  Boiseau  took 
a  leading  part.  He  was,  in  fact,  the  master  of  ceremo- 
nies, for  Carew  did  not  enter  into  the  spirit  of  these 
amusements,  though  giving  his  full  sanction  to  what- 
ever was  proposed.  Whitefield,  also,  seconded  Boiseau 
most  ably.  They  took  very  kindly  to  each  other  from 
the  first  day  of  their  acquaintance.  Perhaps  this  arose 
from  the  strong  feeling,  or  esjorit  de  corps,  which  exists 
among  the  limbs  of  the  law,  founded  on  the  fact  that 
they  look  upon  the  world  as  their  legitimate  prey. 
However,  let  this  be  as  it  will,  we  record  the  fact  that 
the  two  lawyers  got  along  famoush\ 

Among  other  extravagancies,  they  got  up  a  Saturna- 
lia, in  imitation  of  the  ancients,  when,  for  the  nonce, 
masters  and  men  exchanged  places,  and  the  latter  were 
seated  at  the  festive  board,  while  they  were  waited 
upon  with  due  form  and  deference  by  the  former. 
This  precious  idea  originated  in  Whitefi!eld's  classic 
and  fertile  brain.'  His  sj^mpathy,  too,  with  abolition 
doctrines,  perhaps  had  something  to  do  with  the  matter. 

Boiseau  was  at  first  strenuously  opposed  to  the 
.scheme.      He   remonstrated,    sa3'ing   that   the   negro's 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYEIELD.  181 

hecad  was  already  turned,  and  a  feast  of  the  kind  pro- 
posed would  have  the  effect  of  addling  him  completely. 
besides,  he  was  fearful  lest  the  affair  should  be  bruited 
abroad,  and  thus  add  to  the  unpopularity  under  which 
Carew  labored.  However,  his  desire  for  frolic,  aided 
by  early  recollections  of  classic  days  at  college,  had 
begun  to  overcome  his  scruples,  and  he  would  probably 
have  given  his  assent,  even  had  not  Carew  insisted  on 
having  the  Saturnalia  carried  out  in  full  force. 

This  was  caused  by  an  appeal  to  himi  by  Whitefield, 
in  the  matter,  and  when  he  heard  the  argument  of 
Boiseau,  as  to  the  effect  ^vhich  might  be  produced 
abroad,  he  indignantly  determined  at  once  that  he 
would  be  master  on  his  own  property— his  private 
affairs  concerning  no  one  but  himself. 

This  settled  the  question.    It  only  remained  to  carry 
out  the  original  scheme.     After  some  discussion,  they 
finally   determined   upon   using   the    "Purgery,"   this 
being  a  portion  of  the  sugar-house  used  for  storing  the 
sugar,  previous  to  its  shipment  for  market,  and  which 
was  now  empty,  it  being  summer.     It  was  the  largest 
room  on  the  estate,  being  about  two  hundred  feet  long 
by  sixty  broad,  and  of  ample  height.     The  floor  pre- 
sented the  only  difficulty,  being  inclined  from  each  side 
to  the  middle,  to  allow  the  drippings  to  be  conveyed 
into  cisterns  below.     Its  surface  was  also  much  abraid- 
ed  by  the  rolling  of  hogsheads  of  sugar  to  and  fro.    All 
this  was  remedied  by  a  resort  to  the  saw-mill,  which 
speedily  produced  the  planks  needed  for  laying  a  tem- 
porary and  level  floor  over  the  old  one.     The  rough- 
ness of  the  unplaned  surface  mattered   little  to  the 


182  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

negroes,  who  could  dance  upon  it  as  well  as  if  it  were 
smooth  as  glass,  and  waxed. 

The  immense  space  was  thoroughly  cleansed,  hung 
with  boughs  of  evergreens,  and  festooned  with  vines 
and  flowers.  Half  of  the  apartment  was  occupied  by 
two  long  tables,  running  parallel  with  each  other.  The 
remaining  space  was  reserved  for  dancing,  after  dinner. 
Fortunately  the  plantation  kitchen  was  hard  by,  and 
could  be  used  for  cooking  all  the  substantials  for  the 
feast,  while  delicacies  were  to  be  sent  from  the  capa- 
cious range  of  the  mansion  itself. 

We  must  not  omit  to  state  that  a  platform  was 
erected  across  the  dancing  end  of  the  apartment,  or,  as 
it  might  now  be  more  appropriately  termed,  the  hall. 
This  was  reserved  for  the  master  and  his  white  guests, 
in  order  that  the  festival  might  be  opened  with  due 
solemnity  by  a  speech  to  be  delivered  by  Whitefield. 
It  was  afterward  to  be  abandoned  to  the  musicians,  of 
Avhom  the  estate  possessed  several ;  for  the  negro  is  no- 
toriously fond  of  music,  and  there  were  but  few  of  the 
large  estates  in  the  South  which  had  not  an  improvised 
string  band,  by  the  aid  of  which  many  festivals  in  the 
houses  of  their  masters  were  made  successful. 

In  high  glee  were  both  Whitefield  and  Boiseau  on 
the  morning  of  the  day  which  had  been  fixed  upon  for 
the  celebration  of  the  Saturnalia.  The}^  had  success- 
fully completed  all  the  necessary  arrangements.  A 
number  of  personal  friends  amounting  to  about  twenty, 
with  an  equal  force  of  ladies,  had  been  persuaded  to 
grace  the  occasion  with  their  presence.  The  negroes 
were  very  shy  of  "  bein'  waited  on  by  de  white  folks, 


THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD.  183 

he  I  he  !  "  but  these  scruples  had  been  overcome  by  the 
joint  efforts  of  Randolph  and  Boiseau,  who  used  the 
alternately  powerful  levers  of  threats  and  entreaties. 

The  programme  for  the  day  was  arranged  for  an 
assemblage  of  all  the  negroes  —  men,  women  and  chil- 
(Jx-en — the  latter,  of  course,  to  act  merely  as  spectators, 
but  to  be  allowed  a  share  of  the  feast  after  their  elders 
had  dined  —  at  their  quarters,  attired  in  their  best;  to 
be  formed  into  a  procession,  headed  by  Randolph,  and 
march  to  the  hall  at  the  sugar-house ;  there  to  hear 
Whitefield's  speech,  and  then  to  "  set  to  "  for  the  dinner, 
to  be  followed  by  dancing  and  music. 

This  plan  was  adhered  to.  In  the  afternoon,  at  the 
hour  when  they  usually  went  to  labor  after  dinner,  the 
great  bell  rang  out  merrily.  The  procession  proceeded 
on  its  way,  with  many  a  giggle  among  the  women,  who 
resembled  their  white  sisters  in  many  respects,  and  an 
occasional  howl  from  the  children.  It  finally  debouched 
under  the  huge  cane  shed,  where  it  was  halted  long 
enough  to  separate  the  children  from  the  adults.  The 
former  were  left  outside  to  play,  under  the  care  of  two 
or  three  of  the  elder  women,  while  the  latter  were 
marshalled  into  the  dancing  end  of  the  hall.  This  por- 
tion—  about  half  of  the  enormous  room — had  been 
screened  off  from  the  dining-tables  by  large,  awnings, 
borrowed  from  the  mansion.  These  were  stretched 
across  the  entire  width  and  to  a  height  considerably 
above  the  head,  thus  effectually  cutting  the  space  into 
two  rooms  or  halls. 

The  white^  portion  of  the  guests  were  already  on  hand 
and  assembled  on  the  platform. 


184  THE     EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

Boiseau,  who  was  acting  as  master  of  ceremonies,  or 
as  he  termed  himself,  "  the  head  waiter  for  the  day," 
was  standing  on  the  floor,  near  the  entrance,  directing 
the  arrangement  of  a  number  of  long  benches,  hastily 
and  rudely  made  for  the  occasion,  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  people  as  they  entered.  Finally,  when 
all  were  seated,  he  mounted  the  platform  and  in  a 
few  simple,  but  well  chosen,  remarks,  calculated  to  set 
all  at  their  ease,  he  announced  that  ''  Mr.  Whitefield, 
ah  eminent  citizen  from  town,  would  address  the 
meeting." 

As  Boiseau  terminated  these  remarks,  he  took  a  seat, 
and  Whitefield  came  forward. 

As  his  speech  was  rather  too  high  flown,  flowery  and 
classic  in  its  allusions — for  he  entered  on  a  minute 
description  of  the  feast  of  the  ancient  Romans,  of  which 
this  was  supposed  to  be  a  counterpart,  albeit  they  had 
their  festival  about  the  middle  of  December,  whereas 
this  was  held  in  July  —  so  also  it  might  weary  the 
reader ;  for  Whitefield  seldom  had  so  good  an  opportu- 
nity for  airing  his  learning,  and  was,  consequently, 
disposed  to  make  the  most  of  the  occasion.  He  was, 
therefore,  so  prolix  that  we  will  say  no  more  on  this 
head,  but  will  pass  over  the  remainder  of  his  remarks 
by  simplj^  informing  the  reader  that  he  was  highly 
applauded  by  those  who  did  not,  as  well  as  by  those 
who  did,  understand  his  discourse,  which  is  quite  as 
much  as  can  be  said  of  other  and  similar  occasions. 

This  part  of  the  performance  over ;  at  a  signal  from 
Boiseau,  the  cords  sustaining  the  curtains  were  loosened, 
dropping  them  to  the  floor  and  showing  the  two  long 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  185 

lines  of  tables,  fully  arranged,  with  comfortable  seats, 
and  covered  with  the  steaming  viands,  which  had  been 
set  on  "piping  hot,"  just  as  Whitefield's  speech  was 
ended. 

The  ladies  and  gentlemen,  headed  by  Boiseau — for 
Carew  would  play  no  part  other  than  that  of  an  humble 
serving  man  —  then  descended  from  the  platform.  It 
was  discovered  that  the  gentlemen  were  in  evening 
costume,  but  wearing  Avhite  cotton  gloves,  and  the  ladies 
wore  each  a  neat  white  apron.  All  were  ready  to 
perform  their  full  duty. 

The  colored  guests  were  then  provided  Avith  seats. 
The  musicians,  who  had  been  in  waiting,  took  their 
places  on  the  vacant  platform.  As  they  struck  up 
a  lively  air,  the  covers  were  removed  by  those  persons 
who  had  placed  the  dinner  on  the  table,  and  the  guests 
fell  to  with  a  will,  although  they  felt  much  embarrass- 
ment in  accepting  assistance  from  their  novel  waiters. 
As  soon,  however,  as  they  had  quaffed  a  little  claret, 
which  was  provided  in  moderate  quantities  only,  for  fear 
lest  they  might  imbibe  too  much  of  such  an  unwonted 
beverage  —  we  repeat,  as  soon  as  they  had  quaffed  a 
little  claret,  their  confidence  increased  to  a  sufficient 
extent .  to  enable  them  to  fully  enjoy  the  good  meal 
before  them. 

The  ladies  and  gentlemen  entered  freely  into  the 
spirit  of  the  occasion  and  performed  their  whole  duty. 
This  was  rendered  an  easy  matter,  because,  the  entire 
dinner  had  been  placed  on  the  table  at  the  first,  and,  as 
there  was  nothing  to  be  removed,  the  matter  of  waiting 
on  the  guests  was  reduced  to  a  mere  formality. 


186  THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

One  of  the  gentlemen  wanted  to  know  whether  they 
were  to  have  the  honor  of  joining  in  the  evening  dance, 
to  which  a  beautiful  and  sprightl}^  young  lady  responded, 
''No,  for  it  would  be  reversing  the  order  of  society  to 
dance  with  our  superiors." 

Another  gay  girl,  overhearing  this  conversation,  re- 
marked, with  a  toss  of  her  pretty  head,  "she  knew 
better  than  to  be  impudent  to  her  betters,  and,  for  her 
part,  she  was  willing  to  remain  in  her  own  humble 
station." 

Thus  did  the  afternoon  speed  pleasantly  on  till  dark, 
when,  the  dinner  being  over  and  the  hall  lighted  by 
numbers  of  candles,  placed  against  the  walls,  there  was 
an  interval  of  rest,  occupied  in  arranging  the  benches 
around  the  sides  of  the  dancing  hall,  so  as  to  leave  a 
clear  space  in  the  middle.  This  interval  of  time  was 
also  employed  by  the  musicians  in  taking  their  dinner, 
and  by  the  children,  who  were  not  forgotten,  but  now 
came  in  for  a  share  of  what  was  left,  after  which  they 
were  permitted  to  remain  as  lookers  on,  or  to  go  home, 
as  they  listed. 

Then  all  was  ready  for  the  ball.  But  there  ensued 
an  "awful  pause;"  for  it  was  found  that,  though  the 
negroes  were  willing  enough  to  eat  heartily  w^hile  they 
were  all  huddled  together  at  the  tables,  they  were  now 
very  bashful  about  coming  out  in  couples  and  taking 
possession  of  the  floor  in  full  view  of  their  betters. 

Boiseau  was,  however,  equal  to  the  occasion.  At  his 
command,  a  suspicious  looking  basket  was  brought 
forward,  on  opening  which  proved  to  be  champagne. 
A  glass  of  this  was  given  to  eacli  of  the  intending 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  187 

dancers,  not  omitting  the  whites.  The  latter  then  led 
off  and  danced  a  set.  The  gentlemen,  after  seating  the 
ladies,  immediately  stepped  among  the  women,  and  each 
dragged  a  partner  to  the  floor.  The  ice,  thus  broken, 
was  followed  by  a  rapid  thaw.  In  a  few  minutes  all 
was  gayety  and  animation.  Thus  was  this  novel 
amusement  kept  up,  with  song  and  dance,  till  a  late 
hour,  when  all  separated,  masters  and  men  being  mutu- 
ally pleased  with  each  other,  and  without  a  single 
circumstance  having  occurred  to  mar  the  common  joy. 


188  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

A    COMPROMISE. 

WE  have  not  attempted  to  analyze  the  secret  feel- 
ings of  Carew  up  to  this  time.  This  would  have 
proved  a  most  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  task,  for  he, 
apparently,  would  not  allow  himself  to  think  of  the 
past,  but  rushed  headlong  into  whatever  seemed  to  ofPer 
distraction  for  the  moment.  Hence  so  many  divertise- 
ments  at  Court  Lodge.  Never  had  the  place  in  Carew's 
time  been  so  gay.  All  this  revelry,  however,  was  merely 
on  the  surface,  so  far  as  he  was  concerned.  Our  hero's 
heart  was  sore  and  liis  pride  was  stricken,  as  will  shortly 
appear. 

About  this  period  he  received  the  first  news,  meagre 
though  it  was,  of  the  whereabouts  of  Dr.  Stuart  and  his 
charming  daughter.  It  must  not  be  supposed  that  our 
silence  on  this  interesting  subject  has  been  due  to  for- 
getfidness  on  our  part  as  historians,  nor  to  neglect,  on 
the  side  of  our  hero,  in  not  attempting  to  either  see  or 
hear  from  his  lovely  friend.  He  had  made  repeated 
efforts  without  success. 

During  the  war  it  had  been  impossible  to  commu- 
nicate with  that  portion  of  the  country  where  Dr. 
Stuart  lived.  At  the  immediate  termination  of  the 
war,  Carew  was  in  the  North.  His  first  business  on 
returning  to  Louisiana  had  been  to  send  a  messenger 
to  Woodbourne, —  Dr.  Stuart's  residence.     Much  to  his 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  189 

surprise  and  disappointment,  this  emissary  returned 
with  the  packet  for  the  young  lady  which  had  been 
entrusted  to  him.  He  could  obtain  no  tidings  of  either 
the  old  gentleman  or  his  daughter.  The.  estate  had 
been  despoiled  by  the  Federal  army  in  its  passage,  and 
the  old  doctor  had  sold  the  now  dismantled  property 
to  a  stranger  for  a  nominal  sum.  This  person  could 
give  no  information  as  to  their  whereabouts.  He  stated 
that  Dr.  Stuart  was  much  depressed  both  in  health  and 
spirits,  and  said  he  was  on  the  eve  of  leaving  the 
countr}^  but  whether  this  term  was  meant  to  be  applied 
to  the  South  only  or  to  the  whole  country  there  was  no 
means  of  ascertaining.  This  closed  the  search  in  that 
direction. 

After  some  time  spent  in  anxious  reflection,  Carew 
bethought  himself  that  Miss  Stuart  was  a  Roman  Cath- 
olic, and  that  the  old  priest  of  the  parish  where  she 
resided  was  an  intimate  friend  and  frequent  visitor  at 
Woodbourne. 

"Surely,"  thought  he,  brightening  up,  "this  is  a 
happy  idea.  Father  Jerome  will  certainly  know  where 
they  are." 

He  at  once  dispatched  his  man  again  to  call  upon  the 
priest  and  deliver  a  letter  to  him,  begging  he  would 
give  all  the  information  in  his  power  as  to  the  health 
and  whereabouts  of  Dr.  Stuart  and  his  daughter.  The 
man  was  instructed  to  leave  the  letter,  should  Father 
Jerome  be  absent,  as  Carew  knew  was  frequenth^  the 
case,  on  his  parochial  duties. 

In  due  season,  the  man  returned  with  the  reply,  from 
a  new  rector,  that  Father  Jerome  had  been  removed  to 


190  THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

another  field  of  labor,  in  California,  on  account  of  his 
health,  but  he  would  retain  the  letter  and  forward  it. 
Thus  Carew  was  again  greviously  disappointed,  and 
could  now  do  nothing  but  wait  patiently  for  further 
news. 

After  a  lapse  of  some  months,  a  letter  was  received 
by  Carew,  postmarked  "San  Francisco."  He  opened 
it  eagerly  and  found  it  to  be,  as  he  expected,  from 
Father  Jerome.  The  good  man  stated,  in  reply  to 
Carew's  letter,  that  he  had  not  heard  from  Miss  Stuart 
for  some  months.  Her  last  letter  was  from  Paris.  Her 
father's  health  was  much  broken,  and  they  were  on  the 
point  of  setting  out  for  Italy,  to  seek  a  milder  climate, 
but  without  giving  an  address  there.  He  hoped  to 
hear  soon,  however,  and,  when  he  did,  would  at  once 
give  Mr.  Carew  all  the  information  in  his  power,  for  he 
knew  him  to  be  a  sincere  friend  of  the  Stuarts,  and  he 
feared  they  needed*,  one,  as  they  were  very  poor. 

Carew  now  became  more  despondent  than  ever. 
His  spirits  sank.  It  was  obvious  to  Boiseau  that 
something  had  happened.  He  attempted  to  rouse  his 
friend  with  renewed  mirth  and  anecdote,  and  would 
even  tell  stories  at  his  own  expense,  in  the  hope  of 
adding  to  the  general  hilarity.  One  of  these  we  will 
relate.  Boiseau  told  this  anecdote,  one  day  after  dinner, 
while  the  guests  were  still  sitting  around  the  table. 
He  began  as  follows : 

"  When  I  was  a  very  young  man,  I  was  filled  with 
military  enthusiasm  and  the  desire,  common  to  almost 
every  aspiring  youth,  of  distinguishing  myself  on  the 
field  of  battle.     I  was  not  so  stout  then,"  interjected 


THE     EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  191 

he  at  this  point,  parenthetically  and  pathetically  as  he 
glanced  down  at  his  exuberant  embonpoint. 

"I  had  a  little  money,  too,  in  those  days,  and  bravely 
spent  it  in  getting  up  a  militia  company,  for  which  I 
furnished  the  uniforms,  and,  by  way  of  reward  for  my 
patriotism,  Avas  thereupon  elected  Captain.  There  was 
a  store  where  was  sold  the  usual  variety  of  goods, 
liquors  included,  common  to  such  establishments  in  the 
country.  A  large,  level  space,  of  several  acres  in  ex- 
tent, adjoining  this  store,  was  used  as  a  pasturage  by 
the  proprietor.  This  area  we  occupied  during  our 
monthly  drills,  and,  after  several  miles  spent  in  march- 
ing, countermarching  and  executing  all  the  military 
evolutions  possible,  and  some  of  them  impossible,  in  a 
space   as   limited   as  was  our   military  education  and 

experience,    we    would  adjourn  to  'Mac's'  store an 

abbreviation   of  the    owner's  name — and,   to  use  the 
expression  common  among  the  men,  'liquor  up.' 

"This  state  of  affairs  continued  prosperously  for 
nearly  a  year,  by  which  time  we  had  worn  out  and 
mastered  several  volumes  of  the  most  approved  '  tactics ' 
of  the  day.  About  this  time,  the  Florida  war  against 
the  Indians  in  that  State  broke  out. 

"This  spirited  contest  aroused  anew  my  martial 
ardor.  I  watched  the  movements  of  both  sides  with 
the  utmost  interest,  and  regret  to  say  that  I  was  unpa- 
triotic enough  to  rejoice  at  the  occasional  successes  of 
the  Indians.  This  was  in  the  hope  that  the  government 
would  ultimately  be  compelled  to  call  for  volunteers 
from  the  militia  organizations  of  the  different  States. 
"  At  last  I  was  satisfied.     '  Billy  Bow-legs,'  who  was, 


192  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

as  you  will  probably  remember,  the  leader  of  the  Indians, 
had  latterly  met  with  remarkable  success  in  sundry 
engagements,  and  the  government  became  satisfied  that 
the  small  number  of  regular  troops  at  its  disposal  was 
inadequate  to  win  a  permanent  advantage  over  its 
doughty  foe. 

''  The  President  accordingly  issued  his  proclamation, 
calling  for,  I  forget  how  many  regiments  of  volunteers. 
Fearful  lest  we  should  be  forestalled  by  the  thousands 
of  warriors,  who  would,  as  I  imagined,  spring  up,  as  if 
b}^  magic,  from  the  earth  in  response,  I  took  the  re- 
sponsibility upon  myself  of  at  once  writing  to  the 
Secretary  of  War  and,  without  consulting  them,  offer- 
ing the  services  of  my  men.  A  day  or  two  after  send- 
ing off  this  important  document,  and  before  I  had  time 
to  call  the  company  together  and  report  Avhat  I  had 
done,  I  was  hurriedly  sent  for  from  an  adjoining  parish 
for  the  purpose  of  drawing  up  the  will  of  a  wealthy  old 
planter,  who  was  at  the  point  of  death. 

"  I  did  not  feel  at  all  uneasy  at  this  delay,  for,  judging 
my  men  by  myself,  I  had  no  doubts  whatever  as  to  their 
hearty  endorsement  of  my  action.  Indeed,  vague  visions 
of  a  beautiful  new  sword,  to  be  presented  b}^  the  men, 
glittered  in  m}^  imagination,  as  I  thought  of  the  enthu- 
siasm with  which  they  would  greet  the  prompt,  soldierly, 
action  of  their  gallant  Captain  ! 

"  I  was  detained  on  the  before-mentioned  business 
longer  than  I  expected,  and  a  period  of  sometliing  more 
than  ten  days  elapsed  before  I  returned  home.  Then  it 
required  two  or  three  days'  notice  to  convene  the  com- 
pany.    During  the  interval,  a  communication  arrived 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  193 

from  the  War  Department  accepting  our  services,  com- 
plimenting ns  on  the  promptness  with  whicli  we  had 
come  forward,  and  ordering  ns  to  report,  within  fifteen 
days  after  its  receipt,  to  Colonel  Robinson,  commanding 
a  detachment  of  United  States  troops,  at  the  Barracks 
in  New  Orleans. 

"  My  ardor  was  slightly  damped  by  this  brief  and  per- 
emptory mandate.  I  began  to  feel  some  misgivings  as 
to  the  consequences.  Still,  with  this  formidable  paper 
in  my  pocket,  I  went  bravely  to  meet  my  men,  who 
were  all,  with  a  few  exceptions,  waiting  at  Mac's,  curious 
to  learn  the  cause  of  this  unusual  summons,  for,  except 
the  regular  monthly  meetings,  this  was  the  first  time 
they  had  ever  been  ordered  out  since  their  organization. 

"  Well,  to  be  brief,  I  made  them  a  handsome  little 
speech,  overflowing  with  allusions  to  the  dut}^  Avhich 
every  citizen  owed  to  his  country;  with  illustrations 
from  the  careers  of  Csesar  and  Napoleon  ;  with  a  tribute 
to  war,  glory  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  in  other  times  and 
countries.  I  came  down  to  our  own  day  and  experience, 
giving  a  short  sketch  of  the  origin  —  so  far  as  I  knew 
about  it,  which  was  little  enough  —  of  the  present  out- 
break of  the  Indians  and  the  necessity  for  its  prompt 
suppression.  I  then  adverted  to  the  failure  of  the 
government  to  punish  the  enemy,  owing  to  the  paucity 
of  its  regular  army,  and  the  consequent  necessit}^  of 
calling  for  volunteers.  I  read  tlie  President's  procla- 
mation, and  w^ound  up  by  reading  a  copy  of  my  letter 
to  the  Secretary  of  War  and  also  the  reply  thereto.  By 
this  time  I  was  exhausted,  having  spoken  for  nearly  two 
hours,  and  sat  down. 
12 


194  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"A  dead  silence  ensued.  The  men  looked  around 
and  at  each  other,  with  countenances  perfectly  devoid 
of  any  expression  whatever,  so  astounded  and  utterly 
taken  aback  were  they  by  this  unexpected  denouement 
to  all  their  military  aspirations.  I  saw  at  a  glance  that, 
like  Othello,  from  that  moment  my  occupation  was 
gone  and  I  had  mistaken  my  vocation.  No  soldier  was 
I  to  be  on  the  gory  field  of  battle,  desperately  waving 
my  cap  with  one  hand  and  brandishing  a  sword  in  the 
other,  urging  my  men  on  to  glory !  All  this  flashed 
through  my  mind  like  lightning ! 

"Finally,  after  murmuring  among  themselves,  the 
men  broke  out  into  a  perfect  babel  of  voices  and  gestic- 
ulations. All  spoke  at  once,  and  all  in  denunciation  of 
my  unwarranted  action.  I  was  completely  overcome. 
To  such  an  extent  did  I  perceive  that  my  influence  was 
gone  that  it  was  useless  to  even  attempt  a  word  in 
exculpation  of  my  conduct.  So  I  sat,  stunned,  mute 
and  expectant — a  mere  looker-on,  as  it  were,  at  the 
scene  of  discord  I  had  invoked. 

"  At  last  one  or  two  of  the  leading  members  succeeded 
in  getting  a  hearing.  But  I  will  not  stretch  the  tale  by 
rehearsing  their  remarks.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  full 
vials  of  wrath  were  poured  upon  my  devoted  head, 
and  my  resignation  was  requested,  granted,  and  accepted 
on  the  spot. 

"  Jack  Hopkins,  the  Orderly  Sergeant  and  a  mad  wag, 
now  got  the  floor.  Jack  was,  as  usual  with  him  on  such 
occasions,  about  three-quarters  gone.  With  features 
composed  into  an  owl-like  gravity,  which  he  doubtless 
conceived  befitting  the  importance  of  his  remarks,  he 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  195 

succeeded  in  obtaining  silence,  because  he  usually  had 
something  funny  to  say,  but  for  once  even  he  seemed 
solemn. 

" '  Gentlemen,'  said  he,  '  while  I  cannot  agree  with 
our  worthy  Captain  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  action  he 
has  seen  fit  to  take,  yet  I  think  you  are  also  somewhat 
too  hasty  in  utterly  condemning  him.  You  must  ac 
knowledge  that  the  Captain  was  prompted  by  only  the 
most  honorable,  manly  and  patriotic  emotions.  On  the 
impulse  of  the  moment,  under  the  pressure  and  teach- 
ings of  a  noble  spirit,  he  was  urged  into  this  rash  step. 
It  was  an  error,  it  is  true,  to  commit  and  make  himself 
responsible  for  the  actions  of  men  who  are  beyond  his 
control  in  this  matter,  but  it  was  an  error  which  did 
honor  to  his  heart,  if  not  to  his  head. 

'"Let  us,  therefore,  reconsider  the  hasty  resolution 
requiring  the  resignation  of  our  valiant  Captain.  Let 
him  recall  it,  and  we  will  then  see  what  can  be  done 
towards  adjusting  this  unfortunate  business ;  for,  say 
what  you  will,  we  are  in  a  most  unpleasant  predica- 
ment. It  is  easy  enough  to  condemn  our  chief  and 
force  his  retirement,  but  this  does  not  end  the  difficulty. 

"  'Right  or  wrong,  the  services  of  this  company  have 
been  tendered  to  the  government.  The  news  of  this 
mighty  action  has  gone  forth  and  is  now  thrown  broad- 
cast to  the  whole  civilized  world,  thanks  to  our  energetic 
and  patriotic  press;  but,  what  are  you  going  to  do 
about  it  ? 

" '  Gentlemen,  it  is  my  solemn  duty  at  this  crisis  to 
offer  you  the  benefit  of  my  feeble  advice.  Doubtless, 
other   and   more   able   members   will   offer  something 


196  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

better.  Meanwhile,  I  have  a  proposition  to  make.  It 
is  i^  the  nature  of  a  compromise.  Compromise  is,  as 
you  are  well  aware,  gentlemen,  almost  become  a  maxim 
of  the  Constitution ;  therefore,  I  offer  it  unhesitatingly 
and  freely. 

" '  I  say,'  roared  Jack,  in  a  stentorian  voice,  '  let  this 
resolution  be  voted  upon,  unanimously  carried,  and  sent 
to  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  response  to  his  order.  I 
will  give  you  the  substance.  Let  it  be  put  in  proper 
form.' 

.  "  Then,  after  a  moment's  pause  to  gather  breath  and 
add  to  the  impression  he  was  about  to  create,  he  said: 

'* '  Tell  the  Secretary  of  War  that  we  fully  recognize 
the  importance  of  the  present  crisis,  and  admit  the  right, 
in  its  fullest  extent,  of  the  government  to  call  upon  the 
patriotism  of  its  citizens  for  aid ;  that  we  are  extremely 
desirous  of  doing  everything  in  our  power  in  this  emer- 
gency, and  but  for  the  pressing  necessity  which,  at  this 
particular  moment,  absolutely  requires  the  personal 
presence  at  home  of  each  and  every  member  of  this 
company,  we  would  have  been  ere  this  en  route  for  the 
seat  of  war ! 

"'We  will,  however,  do  this  —  and  do  it  freely,  nay 
cheerfully,  being  ready  to  spill  the  last  drops  of  our 
blood  in  the  sacred  cause  of  our  country : — let  the  gov- 
ernment send  the  Indians  here,  and  we'll  slay  'em ! ' 

"  This  speech  restored  good  humor,  and  we  broke  up, 
never  to  meet  again,  for,  fearful  of  getting  into  trouble 
with  the  government,  our  company  disbanded  on  the 
spot.  And  thus  ended,"  continued  Boiseau,  in  conclu- 
sion, ' my  military  career ! '" 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  197 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

AN     EXCURSION. 

BOISEAU  was  the  proprietor  of  a  large  tract  of 
swamp  land,  situated  about  fifteen  miles  from 
Court  Lodge,  as  tlie  crow  flies,  but  by  the  route  which 
it  was  necessary  to  take  in  going  there,  it  was  about 
ten  miles  further.  Boiseau  had  a  great  idea  of  the 
future  value  of  real  estate.  Like  most  lawyers,  he  did 
not  believe  in  anything  he  could  not  see,  and  although 
he  admitted  that  by  far  the  greater  proportion  of  his 
investment  was  invisible,  by  reason  of  being  covered 
with  water  for  fully  eleven  months  out  of  the  year, 
still  he  knew  it  was  there,  for  he  had  not  only  fre- 
quently sounded  it  with  a  stick,  but  had  on  several 
occasions,  tested  the  depth  of  the  soil  by  falling  invol- 
untarily out  of  his  hunting  canoe  while  in  pursuit  of 
game. 

On  one  portion  of  this  territory,  he  had  discovered  a 
species  of  hillock  or  elevation  of  twenty  or  thirty 
acres  in  area  and  about  three  or  four  feet  higher  than 
the  rest.  This  was  well  situated  on  a  black  and  slug- 
gish but  deep  stream,  about  twenty  yards  in  width, 
called  in  the  pdtois  of  the  country  "  Bayou  Boeuf." 

This  stream  was  navigable  and  connected  with 
various  canals  and  lakes,  by  whicli  a  line  of  interior 
communication  was  had  with  New  Orleans.  On  this 
spot  Boiseau  had  erected  a  saw-mill,  with  a  view  of 


198  THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

utilizing  the  inexhaustible  and  magnificent  growth  of 
cypress  trees  which  covered  the  larger  portion  of  his 
purchase. 

As  this  was  a  terra  incognita^  not  only  to  the  guests 
at  Court  Lodge,  but  to  Carew  himself,  Boiseau  thought 
it  would  afford  them  all  a  new  experience  if  not  amuse- 
ment, to  get  up  an  expedition  and  explore  these  interior 
recesses  of  Louisiana  —  hitherto  as  unknown  as  were 
the  wilds  of  Africa  before  Livingstone's  day.  Besides 
the  mere  novelty  of  the  excursion,  there  was  an 
abundance  of  game  for  lovers  of  the  manly  sport. 
Deer,  an  occasional  wild-cat,  and  at  still  rarer  inter- 
vals a  black  bear,  woodcock,  snipe,  ducks,  and  for  those 
who  like  shooting  merely  for  the  sake  of*  discharging 
their  pieces,  there  were  innumerable  alligators  ready  to 
act  as  targets. 

Boiseau's  proposition  was  hailed  with  delight  by  the 
majority  of  the  gentlemen,  for  the  ladies  were  not 
invited  as  they  could  not  be  easily  transported  thither, 
and  was  acquiesced  in  by  all ;  even  Carew  evinced 
some  curiosity  to  examine  a  region  so  nearly  adjacent 
to  his  own  estate.  Preparations  were  therefore  at  once 
set  energetically  in  motion  by  Boiseau,  and  an  early 
day  in  the  following  week  was  fixed  upon  for  their 
departure. 

As  nearly  the  whole  distance  had  to  be  accomplished 
by  water,  it  was  necessary  to  provide  accommodations 
for  the  transportation  of  about  a  dozen  persons  with 
the  supplies  which  would  be  required,  other  than  the 
food  they  might  procure  by  their  guns,  for  their  main- 
tenance during  scA^ral  da^^s. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  199 

At  last  the  day  arrived.  It  had  been  determined  to 
set  out  about  three  hours  before  sundown,  as  it  was  the 
hot  season,  so  that  most  of  the  distance  could  be 
traversed  in  the  cool  of  the  evening.  It  would  require 
about  seven  hours  of  travelling,  which  would  bring 
them  to  their  destination  at  eleven  o'clock. 

Randolph  wished  them  to  postpone  the  excursion  till 
another  week,  when  they  would  have  moonlight;  but  as 
a  number  of  the  guests  wished  to  return  home  about 
that  period,  it  was  settled  that  they  should  go  at  once. 
They  accordingly  went  off  in  high  feather — some  on 
horseback  and  the  rest  in  the  different  vehicles  which 
Carew  had  provided.  The  ladies  waved  their  handker- 
chiefs and  wished  them  a  hon  voyage.  Two  or  three 
sprightly  damsels,  however,  averring  that  they  did  not 
believe  in  the  impracticability  of  the  way  for  their  sex; 
believing  the  whole  arrangement  was  simply  a  trick  of 
the  men  to  get  off  on  a  selfish  junketing. 

"If  such  is  the  case,"  remarked  Randolph,  as  he 
overheard  some  of  these  dissatisfied  remarks  of  the 
fair,  "  most  of  them  will  be  likely  to  rue  it  before  they 
get  back." 

"  Oh,  dear  Mr.  Randolph,"  cried  one  of  the  ladies, 
frightened  from  temporary  petulance  into  solicitude  for 
the  safety  of  at  least  one  of  the  conspirators,  "  is  there  • 
danger?  Do  stop  them  then  from  going,"  cried  a 
chorus  of  the  charming  ones,  closing  anxiously  around 
the  old  man. 

"  Of  danger,  ladies,  there  is  not  the  least,"  answered 
Randolph,  with  a  sly  twinkle  in  his  eye,  "  but  of  duck- 
ings, mud,  mosquitoes  and  discomfort  generally,  there 


200  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

will  be  enough,  and  to  spare.  I  assure  you  I  do  not 
envy  them,  nor  need  you." 

"  Oh !  if  that  is  all,"  cried  one  of  the  fickle  sex,  her 
fears  being  allayed,  ''the  more  discomfort  they  have 
the  better.  I  shall  be  pleased,  for  the  trip  was  under- 
taken in  a  selfish  spirit — as  Mr.  Boiseau  is  the  only  one 
of  the  party  who  really  knows  what  they  will  have  to 
undergo." 

Thus  saying,  she  flounced  off;  the  others  dispersed 
to  their  various  avocations  or  amusements,  not  ill- 
pleased  at  the  information  they  had  just  gleaned  from 
Randolph. 

In  the  meanwhile,  our  party  had  proceeded  gayly  on 
its  way,  little  dreaming  of  what  was  in  store  for  them, 
according  to  Randolph's  prophecy.  They  drove  along 
the  public  road  for  about  tAvo  miles  up  the  river  and 
then  turned  at  right  angles  with  another  road,  leading 
past  a  country  store  —  the  identical  Mac's  who  figured 
in  Boiseau's  story  —  and  in  the  direction  of  the  swamp; 
tills  road  they  followed  for  about  three  miles,  the  latter 
half  of  which  was  so  boggy  that  they  made  but  slow 
progress  and  finally  a  halt  was  called,  as  one  of  the 
horses  in  front  bearing  a  young  gentleman  from  the 
city,  was  seen  to  flounder  for  a  moment  or  two  up  to 
its  knees,  and  ended  by  sliding  its  rider  over  its  head 
into  the  mud.  This  incident  caused  a  parley,  and  as  it 
was  not  more  than  three  or  four  hundred  yards  further 
to  the  boats,  by  means  of  which  the  remainder  of  the 
journey  was  to  be  accomplished,  it  was  concluded  best 
to  walk.  This  was  all  well  enough  for  the  individuals, 
but  it  was  not  so  easy  to  transj)ort  the  supplies  over 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  201 

the  intervening  space.  It  was  done  however,  but  at 
the  loss  of  more  than  an  hour's  time. 

High  spirits  however  and  good  humor  sustained  the 
party,  and,  animated  by  the  resolution  to  make  the  best 
of  everything,  they  deposited  themselves  as  well  as  they 
could  in  the  three  small  skiffs  provided  for  their  accom- 
modation. 

Two  or  three  of  the  gentlemen  however,  who  were 
not  accustomed  to  or  expecting  this  primitive  mode  of 
travelling,  made  wry  faces  enough  at  first,  especially 
when  Boiseau  with  apparent  malice  prepense,  requested 
them  to  occupy  the  foremost  boat,  as  it  lay  in  a  narrow 
and  shallow  canal  not  much  broader  than  itself.  The 
signal  was  now  given  to  move ;  they  were  poled  along 
the  canal,  in  single  file,  by  two  lusty  negroes  in  each 
boat.  We  say  poled,  because  the  space  was  not  wide 
enough  to  permit  the  use  of  oars.  One  darkey  was 
standing  on  the  bow  of  his  boat  while  the  other  was 
perched  upon  the  extreme  stern,  thus  enabling  them  to 
fully  control  the  movements  of  their  craft.  They 
made  rapid  progress,  going  perhaps  at  greater  speed 
than  would  have  been  possible  with  oars,  even  could 
these  have  been  used. 

A  profound  silence  now  fell  upon  the  hitherto  lively 
party.  The  sun  was  low  and  would  soon  leave  them  in 
darkness.  They  had  still  some  miles  to  go  before  they 
could  reach  the  open  lake,  which  they  had  to  cross,  and 
the  short  twilight  of  that  latitude  would  afford  them 
but  scanty  means  of  finding  their  way  through  the 
labyrinth  of  canals  and  bayous  by  which  the  swamp 
and  forest  were  intersected. 


202  THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

Boiseau  however,  cheered  them  as  well  as  he  could 
by  assurances  that  he  had  often  traversed  the  same 
route,  and  that  the  negroes  were  also  familiar  with  it. 
He  then  proposed  to  drink  to  the  success  of  the  excur- 
sion, suiting  the  action  to  the  word  and  breaking  into 
a  boating  song.  His  example  proved  contagious;  the 
occupants  of  each  boat  got  out  their  flasks  and  after  a 
hearty  pull  at  them  —  not  forgetting  the  motive  powers 
—  universal  hilarity  was  restored  by  jest  and  song. 
Thus  all  went  merril}^  for  some  time.  They  had  now 
left  the  open  marsh}^  country  and  were  penetrating  the 
forest,  the  huge  trees  of  various  varieties,  but  prin- 
cipally cj^press,  rising  in  dense  masses  around,  suddenly 
adding  to  the  already  increasing  obscurity,  as  the  sun 
was  now  set. 

At  this  juncture  a  cry  of  horror  issued  from  the 
leading  boat,  followed  by  its  stoppage  with  such 
emphasis  that  the  shock  was  communicated  to  the  two 
skiffs  which  had  followed  closely  in  the  rear. 

"What's  the  matter?"  roared  Boiseau — in  which 
demand  he  was  joined  by  a  full  chorus  of  anxious 
voices. 

"  Snakes  !  snakes!  "  was  the  only  answer  vouchsafed 
from  the  front,  in  a  series  of  loud  cries,  or  rather 
shrieks. 

"  Are  they  in  your  boat  ?  "  demanded  Boiseau. 

"  No  sah,"  answered  one  of  the  darkies  from  the 
craft  in  question,  evidently  suppressing  with  difficulty 
his  inclination  to  laugh.  "  Dey's  on'y  in  de  water.  De 
gemmen  is  skeered,  sah." 

"  Oh,  is  that  all  ?  "  cried  Boiseau,  contemptuously ; 


THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  203 

**  there  is  no  cause  for  alarm,  except  on  the  part  of  the 
snakes.     These  swamps  are  full  of  them.     Go  on  !  " 

"  And  I  say  stop  !  "  cried  one  of  the  occupants  of  the 
tirst  boat,  a  Mr.  Anderson,  from  New  York.  "  It  is  all 
very  pretty  for  you  to  sit  securely  back  there  and  give 
an  order  to  go  on ;  but  this  is  no  joke.  The  water  is 
alive  with  serpents!  It  is  fully  equal  to  Dante's 
Inferno,  by  Jove !  " 

Here  ensued  a  general  discussion,  which  promised  to 
last  indefinitely,  and  was  only  terminated  by  an  ex- 
change of  passengers  between  the  first  boat  and  that  in 
the  rear,  occupied  by  Boiseau,  Carew  and  Whitefield. 
This  was  accomplished  at  a  considerable  loss  of  time, 
and  with  much  difficulty,  for  it  became  necessary  to 
draw  the  three  boats  as  closely  together  as  possible. 
Even  then  the  extreme  ends  only  met,  for  the  narrow 
canal  would  not  admit  of  drawing  them  alongside. 
The  passengers  stepped  from  one  to  the  other,  amidst 
much  pushing,  treading  on  toes,  splashing  of  water, 
caused  by  the  swaying  of  the  boats,  and  attended  also 
by  a  great  deal  of  impatience  and,  we  grieve  to  say, 
some  profanity. 

By  the  time  they  got  under  way  again,  it  was  pitch 
dark,  and  the  boats  now  continually  swayed  right  and 
left,  alternately,  into  the  marsh  on  either  side. 

"  At  this  rate,"  grumbled  Boiseau,  "  we  shall  be  all 
night  getting  over,  and  will  be  fortunate  if  we  escape 
either  wind  or  fog  toward  morning,  for  'tis  a  treacher- 
ous little  lake." 

It  was  their  fate  to  encounter  both  wind  and  fog,  as 
we  shall  see.     The  canal  now  formed  a  junction  with  a 


204  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

bayou,  into  which  it  emptied.  The  space  was  now  of 
sufficient  width  to  permit  tlie  use  of  oars.  They  were 
accordingly  brought  into  requisition,  with  much  addi- 
tional comfort  to  the  passengers,  for  the  boats  now  went 
forward  with  a  smooth,  steady  motion. 

Nothing  further  occurred  worthy  of  mention,  beyond 
a  small  conspiracy  to  return  home,  on  the  part  of  the 
occupants  of  the  last  boat,  the  ring -leaders  being 
Messrs.  Anderson  and  Braydish.  The  latter  was  the 
young  gentleman  who  had  met  with  the  first  mishap 
of  the  day  by  sliding  over  his  horse's  head.  These 
worthies  attempted  to  bribe  the  two  negroes  who  had 
them  in  charge  to  fall  gradually  to  the  rear,  and  then 
to  make  tlie  best  of  their  way  back.  The  darkies, 
though  accepting  the  liquor  and  money  offered,  were 
proof  against  all  entreaties.  They  ''he,  he'd  "'  and  "no 
sah'd  "  to  every  proposition,  and  finally  put  a  coup  de 
grace  on  the  scheme  by  the  statement  that  another 
boat  was  on  its  way  down  the  canal  with  the  remainder 
of  the  supplies,  which  their  boats  had  been  unable  to 
carry  without  too  much  crowding,  and  it  would  be 
impossible  to  pass  it. 

The  party  got  through  the  bayou  with  tolerable 
comfort,  barring  the  mosquitoes,  and  soon  arrived  at 
the  margin  of  the  lake.  This  was  about  eleven  miles 
across,  and  as  it  was  almost  square  in  shape,  they 
would  be  several  miles  from  land  when  midway.  It 
Avas  with  some  solicitude,  therefore,  that  Boiseau  had 
looked  forward  to  this  moment ;  for  he  feared  lest  the 
Avind  mio'ht  be  too  his^h  for  their  frail  boats.  Whilst 
in  the  depths  of  the  forest  it  had  been  impossible  to 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  205 

see  the  sky,  or  to  form  an  opinion  as  to  the  weather, 
though  it  was  mild  enough  when  they  left  home. 

Much  to  his  disquiet,  he  now  found  his  fears  par- 
tially, at  least,  realized.  The  wind  was  quite  brisk, 
though  the  water  was  comparatively  smooth.  If  they 
ventured  out,  however,  it  might  prove  too  rough  for 
them,  and  would  then  be  too  late  to  return.  Boiseau 
explained  his  fears  to  Carew  and  Whitefield.  The 
former  was  in  favor  of  going  on,  the  alternative  being 
a  most  unpleasant  one,  viz :  that  of  spending  the  night 
in  their  present  position ;  for  to  find  their  way  back 
through  the  inky  blackness  of  the  swamp  was  impos- 
sible. Whitefield,  however,  who  was  of  a  timid  nature, 
was  extremely  anxious  to  remain  where  they  were.  In 
truth,  he  had  his  fill  of  the  expedition,  and  saw  nothing 
but  trouble  ahead.  They  did  not  discuss  the  question 
longer,  fearing  to  alarm  the  occupants  of  the  other 
boats,  and  thus  break  everything  up  by  the  mutiny 
which  would  have  surely  followed. 

Boiseau  and  Carew  carried  their  point,  and  the  order 
was  given  to  put  out  into  the  lake,  and  to  keep  within 
sight  of  each  other.  To  do  this  it  soon  became  neces- 
sary to -halloo  at  short  intervals,  it  being  too  dark  to 
see  more  than  a  few  yards  in  any  direction. 

They  went  on  well  enough  in  this  way  for,  perhaps, 
three  miles,  the  weather  becoming  more  and  more 
ominous.  The  waves  were  now  running  quite  high, 
and  it  became  necessary  to  stop  rowing  occasionally, 
and  hold  the  boats'  heads  up,  to  meet  the  waves,  as 
now  and  then  one  or  two  of  these  Avould  come  along  of 
unusual  size.     They  were  all  tired  enough  at  the  slow 


206  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

progress  they  appeared  to  make,  and  all,  without  excep- 
tion, heartily  wished  themselves  at  home.  The  negroes 
had  been  relieved  at  the  oars  by  the  passengers  taking 
turns  about,  and  they  went  on  in  perfect  silence, 
broken  only  by  the  weather,  and  the  shouts  uttered  at 
intervals  from  one  boat  to  the  other. 

A  call  was  suddenly  made  for  assistance  from  one  of 
the  boats,  and  was  quickly  answered  by  the  others 
coming  as  near  as  possible,  for  the  danger  from  col- 
lision had  become  very  great,  on  account  of  the  violent 
motion.  The  sufferers  proved  to  be  Anderson's  and 
Braydish's  boat.  They  complained  that  it  was  leaking 
badly.  A  live  pig,  which  had  been  laid,  tied,  on  the 
bottom  had  broken  loose,  and  in  plunging  about  put 
them  in  imminent  danger  of  swamping. 

"  Did  you  ever  see  such  a  set  of  blockheads  ? " 
roared  Boiseau,  out  of  patience  with  this  crew,  who 
had  given  nothing  but  trouble  from  the  commencement 
of  the  trip. 

"Can't  you  either  tie  the  animal  again,  or  cut  his 
throat?  Here,  you  Sam,"  calling  to  one  of  the  darkies. 
"  Attend  to  that  pig  at  once." 

The  only  response  was  a  feeble  attempt  at  a  laugh 
from  Sam,  whereupon  Boiseau  addressed  himself  to  the 
other  negro. 

"  What  on  earth  is  the  matter  with  3^ou  all,  Jones  ? 
I  believe  the  boat  is  bewitched.     Jones,  I  say  ! " 

Jones  had  apparently  been  asleep  on  the  bow  of  the 
boat,  for  in  answer  to  these  reiterated  demands,  he 
finall}^  roused  himself  with  a,  "  'Tain't  nuthin'  de  mat- 
ter Massa  Joe,"  as  the  negroes  all  called  Boiseau.  He 
then  seemed  to  settle  comfortably  again. 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  207 

"Why  damme,"  cried  Boiseau,  in  a  high  state  of 
indignation  and  excitement.  "  The  nigger  is  drnnk,  I 
verily  believe.     They  must  all  be  drunk  on  that  boat." 

This  opinion  was  soon  verified  by  the  mingled  groans, 
shouts  for  assistance  and  feeble  attempts  at  laughter, 
which  proceeded  from  the  disabled  craft,  for  its  occu- 
pants no  longer  made  even  a  pretence  of  guiding  its 
motions,  as  it  was  drifting  helplessly  about,  speedily  to 
be  swamped  unless  something  was  done. 

Carew  and  Boiseau  at  great  risk  to  their  own  boat, 
pulled  vigorously  alongside,  and  just  in  time,  for  it  was 
about  to  sink.  They  each  grasped  a  negro  and  pitched 
him  ruthlessly  overboard,  then  followed  the  pig.  Carew 
seized  a  bucket  and  began  to  bale  the  sinking  skiff, 
while  one  of  his  own  men  grasped  a  pair  of  oars  and 
brought  its  head  to  the  waves.  The  two  men  so  uncere- 
moniously thrown  into  the  water,  now  came  alongside 
and  howled  piteously  for  help.  Carew  was  however, 
too  highly  incensed  to  let  them  off  so  easily,  he  bade 
them  go  to  the  other  boat,  knowing  them  to  be  good 
swimmers,  he  thought  it  best  to  sober  and  punish  them 
thoroughly. 

Most  fortunately  for  all  parties,  the  wind  and  waves 
now  began  to  subside,  else  they  had  certainly  been  lost, 
for  what,  between  the  marshy  uninhabited  banks  of  the 
lake,  some  miles  off,  and  the  huge  alligators  with  which 
it  was  infested,  their  chances  of  being  saved  would 
have  been  but  slender;  by  this  time  the  boats,  for  all 
of  them  were  now  nearly  full  of  water,  were  baled  out 
and  the  negroes  hauled  on  board  again,  dripping,  sober 
and  penitent.     More  than  an  hour  had  been  lost.     It 


208  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

was  now  about  midnight,  judging  from  the  stars,  and 
they  were  not  much  more  than  half  way  over,  when 
they  should  have  been  at  their  destination. 

Boiseau's  usual  good  temper  was  soured,  he  did  notli- 
ing  but  grumble  continuously.  "  I  will  never  be  caught 
in  such  a  trap  again,"  muttered  he.  "  Why,  the  women 
would  have  behaved  ten  times  better  than  these 
wretches.     What  will  happen  next,  I  wonder?" 

"  The  next  thing,"  responded  Carew,  "  will  be  a  fog. 
It  seems  to  me  to  be  rising  already,  now  that  the  wind 
has  lulled." 

"  By  heavens,  you  are  right !  "  cried  the  unfortunate 
Boiseau.  "  Well,  this  beats  all  the  experiences  I  have 
ever  had  on  this  infernal  sheet  of  water.  First  a  storm 
and  then  a  fog." 

"  In  place  of  talking  about  it,  I  think  you  had  better 
take  what  bearings  you  can  before  it  closes  in  upon  us," 
replied  Carew,  who  in  continuation  urged  the  men  to 
renewed  exertions  at  the  oars,  calling  also  to  the  other 
boats. 

Boiseau  appeared  much  struck  by  this  observation, 
for  he  did  not  reply,  but  applied  himself  to  his  work, 
looking  alternately  at  the  pale  stars  and  the  misty 
headlands  of  trees  which  loomed  up  in  the  distance. 
The  water  had  been  getting  smoother  for  some  time, 
for  the  wind  had  ceased  entirely  and  it  was  now  a  dead 
calm,  until  it  became  as  smooth  as  glass.  The  fog 
settled  down  slowly,  but  nearer  and  nearer.  Surely, 
lower  and  lower  did  it  come,  until  finally  it  seemed  to 
close  its  grasp  upon  the  unhappy  adventurers,  shutting 
them  out  of  the  world. 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  209 

This  at  any  rate  appeared  to  be  the  effect  produced 
upon  their  spirits,  for  not  a  word  was  now  uttered. 
Even  the  shouts  were  abandoned,  and  in  the  deathlike 
stillness  which  prevailed  over  nature  in  exchange  for 
the  bowlings  of  the  tempest,  it  was  easy  enough  to  hear 
the  regular,  steady  movement  of  the  oars  in  the  row- 
locks of  each  boat.  The  view  had  been  for^some  time 
completely  obstructed  by  the  fog.  Still  they  pressed 
steadily  on  to  the  best  of  their  ability.  Boiseau 
thought  they  could  not  now  be  far  from  the  mouth  of 
Bayou  Bceuf,  upon  which  his  saw-mill  stood.  At  all 
events,  it  was  safer  to  reach  the  edge  of  the  lake,  even 
if  they  were  straying  out  of  the  way. 

At  last  the  first  faint  glimmerings  of  dawn  were  seen 
and  gladly  hailed  by  all.  Then  were  heard  the  hoarse 
groans  of  the  alligators,  showing  both  the  approach  of 
day  and  that  they  were  nearing  the  shore.  Now  and 
then,  as  it  became  lighter,  they  could  see  the  head  of 
one  here  and  there,  floating  level  with  the  water  like 
a  log.  Once,  indeed,  one  of  the  boats  ran  into  a  huge 
monster  as  he  lay  sleeping  on  the  surface,  causing  a 
severe  shock,  followed  .by  a  tremendous  groan  and  a 
shower  of  water,  as  he  swung  his  tail  to  and  fro  while 
disappearing  from  sight  beneath. 

The  fog  now  began  to  lift ;  like  a  veil  or  enormous 
curtain  it  was  slowly  drawn  aside,  permitting  by 
degrees  a  full  view  of  the  situation.  Boiseau  and  the 
negroes  could  now  and  then  distinguish  some  familiar 
object:  a  tree,  stump,  or  Jieadland  projecting  into  the 
water,  and  much  to  their  joy  discovered  they  had  not 
far  to  go.  At  length  the  entrance  to  the  long  sought 
13 


210  THE     E  A  R  I.     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D  . 

haveu  heaved  in  sight.  Objects  could  now  be  clearly 
discerned,  and  in  half  an  hour  they  entered  the  mouth 
of  Bayou  Boeuf.  The  saw-mill,  their  destined  place  of 
disembarkation,  was  not  more  than  three  miles  up  this 
stream,  and  as  there  was  little  or  no  current,  they  soon 
arrived  there. 

Tired  and  disgusted,  one  and  all  stepped  on  shore, 
and  with  scarcely  a  word  to  each  other  or  to  the  inhab- 
itants waiting  to  receive  them,  the  unfortunate  wander- 
ers laid  themselves  down  to  rest  for  a  time  in  a  large, 
new  building,  constructed  of  unplaned  boards.  It  was 
provided  with  about  twenty  bunks,  arranged  in  ship's 
fashion  around  the  sides,  two  and  two  together. 

Even  Boiseau,  the  indefatigable,  was  quelled  and 
would  not  enter  into  a  detailed  explanation  with  his 
men,  who  crowded  around  him.  He  begged  to  be 
allowed  a  few  hours  rest. 

Gentle  reader,  we  will  therefore  claim  the  saige 
privilege,  and  reserve  the  remaining  adventures  of  our 
party  in  a  Louisiana  swamp,  for  the  next  chapter. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  211 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

NEWS     FROM    ABROAD. 

IT  was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  the  weary  excur- 
sionists could  be  collected  together  for  the  dinner 
prepared  for  them  under  an  umbrageous  oak,  which 
stood  near  the  margin  of  the  bayou.  Here  they  at  last 
assembled  by  ones  and  twos,  till  all  were  ready,  except 
Anderson,  who,  in  the  classic  words  of  the  celebrated 
Mr.  Mivins,  preferred  taking  his  meal  out  in  sleep. 

The  table  was  composed  of  a  carpenter's  bench.  The 
vise,  placed  at  one  end  for  holding  boards  while  under- 
going some  operation,  was  removed,  and  rough  planks, 
elevated  to  a  sufficient  height  by  stakes  driven  into  the 
ground  and  connected  across  the  top  by  a  short,  flat 
piece, — formed  the  seats.  This  portion  of  the  arrange- 
ments did  not  present  a  very  tempting  appearance ; 
but  the  lack  of  comfort  was  abundantly  made  up  by 
the  novelty  of  the  surroundings.  The  guests,  while 
discussing  a  very  fair  meal,  could  look  out  upon  the 
remarkable  stream  which  flowed  —  if  indeed  it  might 
be  said  to  flow,  so  sluggish  was  its  motion  —  at  their 
feet. 

Bayou  Boeuf — as  we  have  remarked  in  a  former 
chapter  —  is  about  twenty  yards  in  width,  and  very 
deep.  Its  waters  are  of  an  inky  blackness.  So  dark 
are  they  that  the  mind  involuntarily  shudders  on  con- 
templating them,  and  looks  instinctively  across,  under 


212  THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

the  still  darker  shadows  near  the  opposite  edge,  cansed 
by  the  overhanging  boughs  of  the  trees,  which  at  this 
spot  come  mantling  down  to  the  water's  edge  in  all 
their  primitive  simplicity,  as  though  endeavoring  to 
conceal  from  prying  mortals  the  depths  of  the  myste- 
rious stream. 

We  were  about  to  say  —  when  our  muse  led  us  off  to 
the  forest  beyond  —  that  on  surveying  this  scene,  the 
mind  involuntarily  reverts  to  the  fabulous  Styx,  and 
would  not  be  surprised  if  a  veritable  Charon  were  to 
suddenly  make  his  appearance  in  search  of  passengers 
for  eternity. 

We  must,  however,  fold  our  soaring  wings,  and 
come  down  to  mundane  affairs. 

The  gentlemen,  cheered  by  the  dinner  and  sundry 
glasses  of  claret,  had  fully  recovered  their  spirits^  and 
began  to  joke  each  other  upon  the  misadventures  of 
the  voyage.  Boiseau  was  especially  hard  upon  the 
unfortunate  Braydish  and  his  friend  Anderson.  Bray- 
dish  defended  himself  with  spirit,  frankly  acknowledg- 
ing liimself  to  have  been  alarmed,  but  to  the  charge  of 
having  taken  too  much  liquor,  he  plead  an  indignant 
denial.  He  admitted,  however,  that  the  negroes  had 
been  allowed  to  take  more  than  their  share,  and  sheep- 
ishly confessed  to  the  attempt  at  bribing  them  into 
abandoning  the  party.  This  information  had  been 
extorted  from  the  darkies,  who  plead  guilty  under  fear 
of  punishment,  and  in  hopes  of  obtaining  forgiveness 
for  their  bad  conduct. 

'•As  for  Mr.  Anderson,''  continued  Braydish,  "I 
have  nothing  to  say,  for  here  comes  the  gentleman  to 
conduct  his  defense  in  person." 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  213 

Anderson  now  made  his  appearance,  but  he  presented 
such  a  woe-begone  and  deprecating  countenance,  that  it 
was  thought  best  to  let  him  off,  as  he  had  evidently 
suffered  enough  already. 

By  this  time  night  was  approaching,  and  with  it 
innumerable  myriads  of  mosquitoes.  The  only  re- 
source of  the  company  consisted  in  getting  under  the 
diminutive  netting  attached  to  each  bunk.  Although 
the  night  was  warm,  the  building  was  so  open  that  the 
gentle  breeze  which  prevailed  swept  over  the  guests, 
who  were  soon  buried  in  profound  sleep.  They  had 
not  retired,  however  —  or  perhaps  we  had  better  say, 
they  had  not  gone  to  sleep  ;  for  retirement  there  was 
none,  as  they  were  all  ranged  around  the  walls  of  one 
room — without  having  it  understood  that  they  were  to 
be  up  at  daybreak  for  a  hunt  after  small  game. 

Accordingly  all  were  roused  by  Boiseau,  and  on 
tumbling  out,  with  little  or  no  toilets  worth  mention- 
ing, the  gentlemen  were  requested  by  him  to  step  into 
an  adjoining  hut,  where  they  were  supplied  with  steam- 
ing hot  coffee,  to  stimulate  them  for  the  labors  of  the 
day.  They  then  separated  into  several  parties,  each 
under  the  guidance  of  a  sable  attendant,  whose  duty  it 
was,  also,  to  propel  the  boat  under  his  charge ;  for  it 
was  necessary  to  travel  exclusively  by  water  in  this 
region. 

Although  we  are  ubiquitous,  yet  we  do  not  claim  to 
be  so  to  the  extent  of  being  able  to  separate  into  several 
parts,  and  to  be  with  each  individual  party  at  the  same 
time.  We  will,  therefore,  elect  to  remain  with  Carew, 
who  did  not  join  the  hunters,  but  remained  at  home, 


214  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

preferring  to  examine  the  saw -mill  and  its  depen- 
dencies. 

He  did  not  partake  of  coffee  with  the  others,  but  had 
an  early  breakfast  with  the  manager  of  the  property,  a 
Creole  —  as  the  natives  of  Louisiana  are  called  —  of 
French  extraction,  named  Ursin  Clerteaux.  This  man 
was  a  fair  specimen  of  his  class  —  we  might  almost  call 
it  a  race,  for  its  members  are  numerous,  and  are  con- 
fined to  Louisiana  and  Lower  Canada  —  tall,  with  long, 
black  hair,  unkempt,  and  floating  down  his  shoulders, 
complexion  so  swarthy  as  to  lead  to  suspicions  of  an 
infusion  of  African  blood,  and  slender  almost  to  emacia- 
tion. To  this  description  it  will  only  be  necessary  to 
add  that  he  was  apparently  about  forty  years  of  age, 
and  that  he  was  clad  in  a  dirty  suit  of  what  had  been, 
when  new,  clay-colored  homespun.  Adorn  his  head 
with  a  broad-brimmed  sombrero,  fill  his  left  cheek  with 
a  quid  of  tobacco,  and,  reader,  you  have  as  good  a 
picture  of  Mr.  Clerteaux  as  our  poor  pen  can  limn. 

Carew  conducted  liis  conversation  with  this  man  in 
the  peculiar  patois  common  to  his  class.  It  is  a  corrup- 
tion of  the  French  language,  and  as  we  are  compelled 
to  translate  in  any  event,  we  will  not  attempt  to 
imitate  it. 

"  Mr.  Clerteaux,  I  have  remained  with  you  for  the 
purpose  of  examining  your  arrangements,  and  will  be 
obliged  if  you  can  spare  the  time  to  accompany  me." 

"  I  shall  be  only  too  happy,  Mr.  Carew ;  but  the 
trouble  is  that  there  is  so  little  to  show.  Nevertheless, 
come  with  me  and  see  for  yourself." 

Thus  speaking,  Clerteaux  led  the  way  to  the  bank  of 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  215 

the  stream,  which  he  followed  in  a  direction  opposite  to 
that  where  the  mill  was  located,  for  nearly  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  ;  here  he  halted.  Carew  had  observed  that  the 
ground  became  gradually  lower  as  they  advanced,  until 
it  was  not  more  than  a  foot  higher  than  the  surface 
of  the  bayou ;  whereas,  at  the  point  whence  they  start- 
ed, it  was  fully  three  feet  more  elevated. 

Clerteaux  said:  "We  will  now  get  on  the  levee 
which  starts  from  this  point  and  encircles  the  whole  of 
our  arable  land  —  about  a  hundred  acres.  It  will 
return  us  to  the  bayou  at  a  distance  of  about  fourteen 
acres." 

He  moved  off  on  a  faint  footpath  running  back  into 
the  dense  swamp  at  right  angles  to  the  stream.  This 
gradually  assumed  the  proportions  of  an  embankment 
as  they  progressed,  until  it  at  last  became  about  four 
feet  in  height,  being  a  mere  path  on  the  top,  and  at  its 
base,  about  eight  or  ten  feet  across.  Proceeding  several 
hundred  yards,  they  came  to  a  short  turn  in  the  levee, 
following  which,  caused  them  to  face  about  and  return 
parallel  to  their  first  path,  and  at  a  distance  of  about 
seven  acres.  Here  Carew  observed  the  swamp  side  of 
the  levee  to  be  covered  with  water  to  a  depth  of  one  or 
two  feet ;  while  on  the  inside,  or  that  next  the  bayou, 
it  was  quite  dry. 

"  You  must  have  a  pump  here,"  he  remarked. 

"  Yes,"  responded  the  other,  "  we  have  one  attached 
to  the  saw-mill  engine,  which  keeps  our  garden  and 
residence  dry." 

They  walked  on  without  further  remark,  until  they 
completed  the  circuit  of  the  levee,  which  brought  them 


216  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

to  the  saw-mill,  which  in  no  wise  differed  from  other 
establishments  of  the  kind. 

Soon  after  our  hero's  return  from  this  tour  of  inspec- 
tion, a  boat  hove  in  sight,  and  rapidly  descending  the 
bayou,  rounded  to,  and  landed  near  the  mill.  It  proved 
to  be  Braydish  and  Boiseau.  The  former  was  covered 
with  mud  and  dripping  with  water. 

"  This  is  an  edifying  spectacle ! "  cried  Carew. 
"  What  has  happened  to  the  young  gentleman  ?  " 

"  You  may  well  ask  the  question,"  replied  Boiseau, 
almost  bursting  with  laughter.  "  I  tliink  we  had  better 
roll  him  up  in  cotton,  and  box  him  with  the  orthodox 
label :   '  This  side  up  with  care.'  " 

He  then  proceeded  to  relate  how  it  had  occurred, 
premising  with  the  remark  that  he  had  been  careful  to 
have  Bra}  dish  with  himself,  in  order  that  he  might  take 
special  care  of  him. 

"  And  a  pretty  mess  you  have  made  of  it !  "  ejacu- 
lated the  unfortunate  youth,  as  he  darted  off  in  the 
direction  of  the  kitchen. 

Boiseau,  without  noticing  this  interruption,  contin- 
ued, to  the  effect  that  Braydish  was  extremely  anxious 
to  exhibit  his  marksmanship  upon  the  alligators,  and, 
declining  all  smaller  game,  had  been  blazing  away  with 
a  repeating  rifle  all  day  without  effect,  until  at  last  he 
succeeded  in  hitting  an  immense  old  fellow,  who  was 
basking  in  the  sun  at  full  length,  on  a  log.  With  a 
mighty  splash,  the  monster  plunged  beneath  the  surface 
of  the  water,  reddening  it  with  its  blood.  It  appeared 
and  disappeared  at  short  intervals,  several  times,  and  at 
last  rose  languidly  and  lay  motionless,  apparently  dead. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  217 

Braydish,  in  high  glee,  now  wished  to  secure  his 
prize,  either  by  hauling  it  in  on  board,  or,  if  it  proved 
too  heavy  for  this,  to  tow  it  home  as  a  trophy.  Full  of 
this  intention,  he  insisted  on  going  alongside  with  the 
boat,  and  making  fast  to  the  creature  with  the  painter ; 
but,  Boiseau  and  the  boy  with  them,  attempted  to  dis- 
suade Braydish,  warning  him  of  the  danger ;  for,  unless 
the  alligator  lay  with  stomach  uppermost  on  the  water, 
there  could  be  no  certainty  of  its  death. 

Braydish,  however,  would  not  be  reasoned  with.  He 
was  highly  excited  and  confident  of  his-  ability  to  man- 
age the  animal,  even  though  it  were  not  quite  dead. 
They  therefore  slowly  approached  the  huge  hulk,  now 
lying  prone  upon  the  water  for  at  least  ten  feet, 
Boiseau  steering,  the  boy  rowing,  and  Braydish  stand- 
ing on  the  prow  with  the  loose  end  of  the  painter 
arranged  into  a  running  noose,  the  other  end  being  still 
attached  to  the  boat's  bow.  They  slipped  gently  and 
noiselessly  up ;  Braydish  dropped  the  open  noose  under 
and  around  the  tail  of  the  alligator,  and  had  slipped  it 
nearly  half  way  up  the  body,  when  the  creature  seemed 
to  awaken  to  a  sense  of  its  danger,  and  gave  a  most 
terrific  plunge,  dashing  the  water  over  Braydish  with  a 
sweep  of  its  tail,  and  then  dropping  beneath  the  sur- 
face. It  could  only  sink,  however,  to  the  length  of  the 
rope ;  the  noose  tightened  and  it  again  came  up,  and, 
with  a  snort  of  defiance,  made  off  up  stream,  pulling 
the  boat  after  him  with  a  violent  shock,  which  precip- 
itated the  unfortunate  Braydish  overboard.  He  sank 
out  of  sight  with  a  shriek  of  despair. 

Boiseau  now  began  to  feel  alarmed,  for  he  did  not 


218  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

know  whether  the  young  man  could  s'^Adm.  The  boat 
was  already  some  yards  off,  and  the  distance  between 
them  was  being  steadily  increased  by  the  desperate 
struggles  of  the  alligator ;  there  was  also  some  danger 
lest  the  frail  craft  might  be  swamped,  as  it  was  being 
violently  jerked  to  and  fro;  he  therefore  ordered  the 
boy,  who  was  ready,  knife  in  hand,  in  anticipation,  to 
cut  the  rope,  thus  abandoning  the  chase,  while,  himself 
seizing  the  oars,  they  were  soon  up  with  Braydish, 
who  was  pulled  on  board  in  an  exhausted  state,  more 
frightened  than  hurt,  however,  for  a  drink  of  brandy 
soon  brought  him  to. 

By  the  time  this  narrative  was  ended,  the  other  hunt- 
ers had  gradually  returned,  until  all  were  at  home 
again ;  all  with  more  or  less  of  success  to  report,  but 
meeting  with  no  adventure  worth  recording  beyond  the 
fact  of  their  having  secured  an  ample  supply  of  ducks, 
snipe,  and  a  few  wild  turkeys  for  dinner. 

Clerteaux  then  came  in  and  announced  that  it  would 
be  a  good  night  to  hunt  the  deer  with  torches,  it  being 
very  dark  early  in  the  evening;  he  further  stated  that 
some  of  the  woodmen  reported  having  seen  a  number 
of  these  animals  on  a  ridge  of  land  some  miles  off. 
Our  party  concluded  to  make  the  expedition,  and  as  it 
may  present  some  novel  features,  we  will  devote  a  brief 
space  to  this  species  of  chase. 

The  whole  party  —  with  the  exception  of  Braydish, 
who  remained  at  home,  much  to  the  relief  of  Boiseau  — 
accompanied  by  Clerteaux,  with  half  a  dozen  negroes, 
to  show  the  way  and  carry  the  torches,  got  off  at  dusk 
and  proceeded  up  the  bayou  in  a  large  flat,  sufficiently 


THE     EAEL     OF     MAYFIELD.  219 

commodious  to  hold  the  entire  group,  and  to  bring 
back,  in  addition,  the  game  they  might  kill. 

An  hour's  tugging  at  the  oars  brought  them  to  the 
place  of  disembarkation.  They  were  speedily  on  shore, 
each  with  his  shot-gun,  loaded  with  buckshot;  these 
being  considered  more  certain  and  deadly  than  rifles 
at  the  short  range  for  which  they  were  to  be  used. 

Clerteaux  now  assumed  the  command,  and  directed 
the  whole  party  to  follow  him  in  single  file,  to  step  as 
gently  as  possible,  and  to  converse  only  in  whispers. 
They  thus  set  off  in  the  darkness,  and  soon  entered  the 
forest.  It  was  so  dark  that  the  men  could  scarcely  see 
each  other. 

The  silence  was  perfect  and  unbroken,  save  by  a 
question  from  Whitefield  as  to  whether  there  was  not 
great  danger  of  treading  on  serpents?  This  was 
answered  by  Boiseau,  to  the  effect  that  such  accidents 
were  rare,  owing  to  the  fact  that  these  reptiles  scarcely 
ever  lay  in  a  path  or  road. 

They  marched  steadily  on  for  several  hundred  yards, 
halting  at  short  intervals  for  Clerteaux  and  Boiseau, 
who  were  experienced  hunters,  to  ascertain  their  where- 
abouts, and  also  to  listen  for  sounds  of  the  game. 
During  these  stops  the  stillness  was  appalling,  and 
when  it  was  broken,  sometimes  by  the  snapping  of  a 
twig  as  it  was  stepped  on,  or  by  the  sudden  flight  of  a 
rabbit,  startled  from  its  cover  by  this  strange  intrusion 
on  its  slumbers,  the  effect  on  the  nerves  of  the  more 
inexperienced  hunters  was  anything  but  pleasant. 

Finally,  after  marching  in  this  mannner  for  fully  a 
mile,  Clerteaux  announced  that  the  game  was  near  at 


220  THE     EARL     OF     MA  YF I  ELD. 

hand,  and  to  get  their  guns  in  readiness.  He  also 
admonished  them  against  careless  handling  of  their 
pieces,  lest  in  the  excitement  they  might  injure  one 
another. 

The  torches,  made  of  pitch  pine,  were  then  lighted, 
and  had  the  usual  effect  of  lighting  up  the  party  itself, 
but  rendering  the  surrounding  darkness  more  black 
than  ever.  After  gazing  hopelessly  into  the  forest  for 
a  short  time,  Anderson,  Whitefield,  and  one  or  two 
others,  gave  up  all  hopes  of  slaying  anything  short  of 
a  human  being,  and  wisel}*  uncocked  their  guns,  leaving 
the  field  to  those  whose  experience  might  justify  them 
in  still  maintaining  an  attitude  of  expectation.  In  a 
few  moments  the  guns  of  both  Clerteaux  and  Boiseau 
blazed  forth  simultaneously,  followed  in  an  instant  by 
that  of  Carew,  when  Whitefield,  in  a  high  state  of 
excitement,  shouted,  "I  see  a  pair  of  eyes,"  got  his 
gun  again  into  position,  and  fired  off  both  barrels, 
without  any  further  apparent  effect,  how^ever,  than  that 
of  bringing  upon  his  own  head  a  shower  of  dead  twigs 
and  vines,  much  to  his  discomfiture,  for  he  had  fired  in 
the  air,  lodging  his  shot  in  the  branches  of  a  dead 
tree! 

Clerteaux,  Carew  and  Boiseau  now  dashed  madly  for- 
ward, each  followed  by  one  or  two  of  the  men  with 
the  torches.  They  soon  disappeared  from  view,  their 
positions,  however,  being  indicated  by  the  weird  flick- 
ering of  the  lights,  as  they  danced  about  in  the  dense 
undergrowth.  Shouts  were  at  last  faintly  heard,  which 
the  man,  who  had  remained  with  the  others,  informed 
them   was   a   signal    to    advance.      Accordingly  they 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  221 

started  and  came  up,  first  with  Clerteaux,  who  had 
killed  a  fine  buck.  Further  on,  to  the  right  from  this 
point,  they  followed  the  halloos  of  Boiseau's  powerful 
voice,  and  found  him  with  Carew,  their  torches  having 
been  extinguished,  exhausted,  and  without  having 
secured  their  game,  having  either  missed  it  altogether, 
or  it  was  too  slightly  wounded  to  be  overtaken. 

The  interest  of  all  was  now  centered  on  Clerteaux, 
who  was  the  hero  of  the  night.  The  buck  was  carried 
to  the  boat,  and  all  returned  to  the  mill  at  about  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  tired,  but  ^vell  pleased  with  the 
hunt. 

They  spent  the  remainder  of  that  day  and  its  nighl 
in  recuperating,  leaving  at  daylight  on  the  following 
morning  for  Court  Lodge,  where  they  arrived  in  due 
course  of  time  and  were  gladly  welcomed  home  by  the 
ladies. 

After  one  or  two  days  of  recreation  from  the  fatigues 
of  the  famous  expedition  to  Bayou  Boeuf,  the  party 
broke  up,  each  wending  his  or  her  way  to  other,  but 
scarcely  more  agreeable  scenes. 

We  must  now  devote  a  few  words  to  Charles  Bran- 
don, who  we  left  in  New  York  nearly  two  years  ago. 
He  was  then  on  his  way  to  Carew's  residence,  near 
Saratoga.  He  had  s]3ent  over  a  year  there  in  quiet 
retirement,  at  Carew's  especial  desire,  recuperating  his 
shattered  health  and  drinking  the  famous  waters. 

He  was  now  on  his  way  to  Louisiana,  to  rejoin  his 
friend  and  patron  —  for  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that 
Carew  had  emplo^'ed  him  permanently  as  his  secretary, 
—  but  had  stopped  with  his  aged  father  in  Charleston, 
South  Carolina. 


222  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

From  this  city  he  wrote  to  Carew,  telling  him  he 
would  be  at  Court  Lodge  in  the  course  of  two  or  three 
weeks,  to  remain  with  his  friend  for  the  rest  of  his  life. 
He  enclosed  an  advertisement,  taken  from  a  London 
daily,  which  read  as  follows : 

"Carew.  Any  legitimate  descendants  of  Charles 
Carew,  Earl  of  Mayfield,  etc.,  etc.,  and  who  died  in 
England  in  the  year  1820,  may  hear  of  something  to 
their  advantage  by  addressing  Robert  Goldsmith,  So- 
licitor, No.  13  Leadenhell  street,  London,  E.  C." 

Brandon  said  this  might  be  an  attempt  at  imposition, 
or  it  might  be  a  mere  coincidence  of  names,  in  which 
his  patron  could  have  no  interest:  but  he  was  fully 
aware  of  the  pretensions  of  Carew  to  high  birth,  and 
it  was  possible  this  advertisement  might  refer  to  him, 
therefore  he  had  deemed  it  his  duty  to  forward  it.  He 
had  come  across  it  accidentally. 

Carew  submitted  this  matter  to  Boiseau,  who,  to  his 
surprise,  was  much  excited  over  it,  and  recommended 
that  an  answer  be  sent  at  once. 

"You  know,"  said  he,  "my  dear  fellow,  that  you 
are  of  good  family.  I  have  often  heard  Randolph  say 
your  father  was  connected  with  a  noble  English  family, 
but  that  he  had  never  said  much  about  it  in  detail. 
We  must  search  all  the  family  papers.  You  have  a 
good  many  scattered  about !  " 

Carew  answered,  "  Yes,  I  am  aware  that  I  am  con- 
nected with  the  ancient  family  mentioned  in  this  adver- 
tisement, but  how,  I  do  not  know.     I  did  not  think 


THE     EARL    OF     MAYFIELD.  223 

the  English  branch  was  extinct.  My  father  died 
suddenly,  you  know,  and  I  was  too  young  to  think, 
or  care,  much  about  the  matter." 

'^It  must  be  looked  up  without  further  delay,"  an- 
swered Boiseau.  "You  know,  old  fellow,  I  have 
always  considered  you  as  being  more  English  than 
American  ! " 

"My  blood  is  undeniably  English,"  said  our  hero, 
"  but  as  a  native  of  America,  I  must,  under  all  circum- 
stances, cherish  her  as  a  mother ;  old  England  may  play 
the  part  of  grandam,  if  she  will ! " 

"  Spoken  like  a  true  man,"  cried  Boiseau ;  "  and  now 
let  me  send  a  note  to  this  Goldsmith,  asking  for  further 
l^articulars." 

He  sat  down  and  wrote  a  letter  in  his  friend's  name, 
which  was  posted  the  next  morning,  giving  a  sketch  of 
Carew  and  his  father. 

As  they  deferred  the  examination  of  such  papers 
relating  to  the  family  as  were  in  Carew's  possession 
until  the  next  day,  we  shall  have  to  reserve  the  result 
of  these  researches  for  another  chapter. 


224  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

A    NEW    EARL. 

BOISE AU  and  Carew  overhauled  the  family  papers, 
which  amply  confirmed,  —  as  far  as  they  went 
—  the  pretensions  of  our  hero  to  a  connection  with 
the  noble  English  family  of  Carew.  We  shall  for  the 
present,  content  ourselves  with  some  extracts  from  an 
old  edition  of  Debrett's  Peerage,  in  Carew's  possession, 
and  in  which  the  leaf  of  the  page  was  turned  down  at 
the  name  of  Carew,  of  Gracedieu ;  it  read  as  follows : 

"LINEAGE." 

"  That  Thomas,  the  ancestor  of  this  great  and  noble 
family,"  says  Dugdale,  "  did  originally  assume  the 
addition  of  Gracedieu  to  his  surname  in  the  time  of 
Henry  I.,  from  that  lordship  in  Kent,  where  he  then 
had  his  residence,  need  not  to  be  doubted."  Debrett 
continues  :  "  This  Thomas  m.  Ada,  one  of  the  sisters 
of  the  famous  Walter  Espee,  and  was  s.  by  his  son, 
Peter  Carew,  of  Gracedieu,  who  was  s.  by  his  son, 

Robert  Carew,  of  Gracedieu.  This  feudal  lord  m. 
Rozsia,  dau.  of  Wm.  Martre,  of  Trusbut,  heiress  of  her 
father.  Robert  Carew  died  about  the  year  1186,  and 
was  s.  by  his  son, 

Peter  Carew%  surnamed  Furfun.  This  feudal  lord 
in  the  time  of  Richard  I.  was  imprisoned  in  Xormandy, 
and,  for  his  deliverance,  forced  to  pay  a  considerable 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  225 

sum.  He  was,  soon  after  this,  employed  as  one  of  the 
commissioners  to  conduct  William,  King  of  Scotland, 
into  England.  He  was  the  founder  of  Hadlow  Castle,' 
in  Sussex,  (afterwards  called  the  "Palace,"  at  May- 
field).  During  the  troubles  in  King  John's  reign,  he 
espoused  the  baronial  interests  and  was  a  leader  in  the 
baronial  army.  He  m.  Isabel,  dau.  of  William  the  Lion, 
King  of  Scotland,  and  had  issue, 

William,  of  Hadlow,  of  whom  presently. 

Robert,  in  holy  orders. 

John,  who  died  s.  p. 

Having  become  a  Knight  Templar,  Peter  died  about 
1257,  was  buried  in  the  Temi^le  church  at  London, 
and  was  .9.  by, 

William,  of  Hadlow,  as  3d  Baron.  This  nobleman 
was  an  unsuccessful  competitor  for  the  crown  of  Scot- 
land in  1292.  His  lordship  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  John 
de  Vaux,  and  co-heir,  and  was  s.  in  1336  by  his  elder 
son, 

James,  4th  Baron.  This  nobleman  had  the  honor 
and  glory  of  leading  a  division  of  the  English  army  at 
Crecy.  He  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  Ralph  Neville,  and 
dying  s.  p.  was  succeeded  in  his  honors  by  his  brother, 

Thomas,  as  5th  Baron,  who  m.  the  widow  of  the 
Earl  of  Desmond,  and  dau.  of  the  1st  Earl  of  Stafford, 
and  d}dng  in  1364,  was  s.  by  his  eldest  son, 

John,  6th  Baron.  This  nobleman 'having  underta- 
ken a  pilgrimage  to  Jeruselem,  d.  s,  p.  at  Paphos  — 
was  succeeded  by  his  brother, 

William,  7th  Baron,  who  was,  in  the  time  of  Henry 
IV.  Lord  Treasurer  of  England.     His  lordship  m. 


226  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

Margaret,  daii.  of  Sir  James  Allendale,  and  dying  Sep- 
tember 11,  1404,  was  s.  by  his  eldest  son, 

Tho]VIAS,  8th  Baron,  who  m,  Mary,  dau.  and  heir  of 
Sir  John  le  Despencer,  but  had  no  issue.  He  was  killed 
in  France,  where  he  served  under  the  Duke  of  Clar- 
ence, in  1421,  and  was  s.  by  his  brother. 

Sir  Peter  as  9th  Baron.  His  lordship  m.  Eleanor, 
dau.  of  Richard,  Earl  of  Warwick,  and  dying  August  8, 
1431,  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son, 

Thomas,  10th  Baron,  who  was  summoned  to  parlia- 
ment from  Jan.  2,  1449,  (temj).  Henry  VI.)  to  July  13, 
1460.  He  was  attainted  for  treason  in  1461,  and  for- 
feited his  honors ;  but  his  son  (by  Jane.  dau.  of  the 
Earl  of  Worcester), 

Edmukd,  11th  Baron,  obtained  a  reversal  of  the 
attainder  in  1485  ;  he  Avas  not,  however,  summoned  to 
Parliament,  and  was  s.  by  his  son, 

George,  12th  Baron.  Nor  was  this  nobleman  sum- 
moned to  Parliament;  he  m.  Anna,  only  dau.  and  heir 
of  Sir  Thomas  St.  Leger,  Knt.  and  d,  in  1513,  was  s.  by 
his  son, 

Thomas,  13th  Baron  of  Gracedieu,  who  was  sum- 
moned to  parliament  Nov.  12,  1515,  and  created  Earl 
OF  Mayfield,  June  18, 1525.  His  lordship  d.  in  1543, 
and  was  s.  by  his  son  (by  Ellen,  dau.  of  Sir  James 
Pastone), 

Henry,  2d  Earl,  and  14th  Baron,  who  d.  in  1563, 
and  was  succeeded  b}^  his  eldest  son, 

Thomas,  3d  Earl,  and  15th  Baron.  This  nobleman 
d.  in  1587  without  male  issue,  his  honors  reverted  to  his 
brother,  who  s.  as, 


THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  227 

Edward,  4tli  Earl,  and  16tli  Baron.  On  the  22d  of 
July,  1616,  his  lordship  also  d.  without  male  issue; 
the  titles  descended  to  his  cousin, 

Francis,  5th  Earl,  and  17th  Baron.  This  nobleman 
m,  Maria  Howard,  of  the  noble  house  of  that  name  and 
had  issue,  his  successor, 

Thomas,  ^\X\  Earl,  and  18th  Baron.  His  lordship  d. 
s.p.  having  taken  holy  orders,  and  was  succeeded  by 
his  brother, 

George,  7th  Earl,  and  19th  Baron,  who  m.  Ada, 
dau.  of  the  2d  duke  of  Buckingham  and  had  issue, 

Sir  Henry  William,  8th  Earl,  19th  Baron  and  1st 
Baronet,  who  m.  i\Iary,  sister  of  the  Duke  of  Leinster. 
He  died  12th  June  1792,  and  was  s.  by  his  eldest  son. 

Sir  Charles,  9th  Earl,  20th  Baron  and  2d  Baro- 
net. This  nobleman  w.  Helen,  widow  of  the  Marquis 
of  Donegal,  and  had  issue.  His  lordship  d.  in  1820. 
Titles  Extinct. 

Thomas,  of  whom  presently. 
Michael,  who  died  s.  p.  (unmarried). 
Mary,  who  took  the  veil  in  Ireland,  d.  s.  p. 
We  will  now  treat  of  (as  above)  :  — 
Thomas,  who  went,  very  young  to  America  and  has 
never  been  heard  of  since  ;  if  this  gentleman  is  alive  he 
woukVs.  as  10th  Earl,  and  21st  Baron,  besides  being 
the    3d    Baronet;    this   honor    being   descended   from 
William  Henry,  8th  Earl,  and  19th  Baron. 

Arms:  on  a  shield,  gu.  a  fesse,  or,  between  eight 
billets;  or,  (the  fesse  being  charged  with  the  bloody 
hand  of  Ulster,  the  badge  of  the  Baronetcy). 

Crest  :  out  of  a  ducal  coronet,  or,  a  tiger's  head  and 
neck,  ppr. 


228  THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

Supporters:  Dexter,  a  wyvern,  gu.^  sinister,  a 
monkey,  ppr.^  ringed  around  the  loins  and  lined,  or, 

Motto  :   Fortls  et  Fidelis. 

Seat  :  Palace  of  Mavfield,  Co.  Sussex. 

We  must  apologize  for  inflicting  on  the  reader  so 
dry  and  tedious  a  description  of  this  family,  but  it  is 
necessary  for  a  clear  comprehension  of  our  story.  It  is 
ahvays  well  to  remember  too,  that  there  is  in  almost 
every  human  breast,  a  lurking  fondness  for  Heraldy ;  in 
proof  of  this  position,  Ave  will  quote  a  line  from  Rob 
Roy ;  it  being  in  the  shape  of  an  exclamation  from  the 
sweet  lips  of  Die  Vernon  herself.  "  What !  Is  it  possi- 
ble ?  Not  know  the  figures  of  Heraldry !  Of  what 
could  your  father  be  thinking  ?  " 

We  must  now  return  to  Carew,  and  Boiseau,  who 
had  been  closeted  the  whole  morning  over  the  family 
papers. 

"Well,"  said  the  former,  after  some  minutes  of 
silence  had  followed  the  examination,  "  to  what  conclu- 
sion have  you  arrived  ?  " 

"  I  am  convinced,"  answered  the  other  smiling,  "  that 
I  am  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  of  Mayfield;  but, 
seriousty,  this  is  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance. 
Don't  you  agree  with  me  ?  " 

"  I  do,"  said  our  hero.  "  It  is  now  clear  to  my  mind 
that  the  last  Earl,  Charles,  was  my  grandfather ;  my 
father  was  his  eldest  son,  and  as  I  now  stand  in  my 
father's  place,  I  am  entitled  to  the  succession — such  as 
it  ma}^  be.  This  matter,"  continued  he  dubiously, 
"will  doubtless  cost  a  good  deal  of  both  time  and 
money.     I  am  very  comfortable  now,  why  give  up  my 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  229 

present  life  for  Avhat,  even  in  the  event  of  success,  may 
be  but  empty  honors?" 

"  Of  course,"  replied  the  other,  "  there  is  much  truth 
in  what  you  say ;  but  for  my  part,  if  I  could  leave  this 
unhappy  country  and  settle  in  old  England,  full  of 
honors  and  dignities,  I  would  move  heaven  and  earth 
to  accomplish  so  desirable  an  end.  In  addition  to  these 
reasons,  I  have  omitted  one  even  more  powerful,  viz: 
The  sacred  duty  you  owe  to  an  ancient  and  noble 
family,  by"  not  permitting  its  name  to  die  out  in  the 
land  where  it  has  flourished  gloriously,  for  so  many 
centuries.  You  cannot  think  of  being  guilty  of  such 
treason  to  your  ancesters,  Carew  !  " 

"  My  dear  Boiseau,  the  first  portion  of  your  remarks 
are  not  worthy  of  a  second  thought ;  it  is  only  necessary 
for  me  to  remember  that  you  are  an  unreconstructed 
rebel,  to  destroy  your  argument  about  this  '  unhappy 
country,'  as  you  are  pleased  to  call  it. 

"People  may  talk  as  much  as  they  like  in  a  free 
country,  you  know ;  and  they  use,  or  abuse,  that  privi- 
lege to  its  fullest  extent  in  America.  But,  notwith- 
standing all  my  affection  for  England,  and  although  I 
am  a  monarchist,  and  believe  the  English  system  to  be 
the  best  in  the  world,  still  will  I  maintain  that  we  pos- 
sess in  the  United  States  the  next  best,  I  will  not  say 
government,  but  the  next  best,  and  happiest  people  as 
a  whole.  And  now,"  continued  he,  "as  to  the  latter 
portion  of  your  argument,  I  fully  coincide.  With  this 
reservation  however,  that  there  may  be  some  one  in 
England  yet  remaining  of  the  old  line,  who  will  be 
more  capable,  and  more  worthy  of  keeping  up  the 
family  than  I. 


230  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"If  there  be  such  a  person,  I  will  most  willingly 
surrender  to  him  my  superior  right,  should  I  have  it. 
I  could  never  be  more  than  half  an  Englishman  at  the 
best ;  for,  while  my  body  would  be  there,  my  heart 
would  be  in  the  keeping  of  dear  friends  in  America." 
Carew  stopped  short  and  looked  at  his  friend  with 
much  emotion. 

A  tear  glistened  in  Boiseau's  ej-e,  as  he  replied : 
"  Dear  old  true  heart,  we  will  never  be  separated  long, 
for  if  you  do  not  come  to  your  old  home  frequently, 
I  will  have  to  follow  your  example  and  become  an 
Englisliman  too." 

The  two  men  rose,  with  a  simultaneous  impulse,  and 
grasped  each  other  warmly  by  the  hand  in  silent  token 
of  undying  friendsliip. 

"Ah,  Carew,"  said  Boiseau,  in  a  low  and  broken 
voice,  "  if  I  could  only  see  you  a  member  of  the  true 
church,  I  would  die  content." 

"My  dear  fellow,"  responded  the  other  quickly,  "we 
are  all  in  God's  hand,  and  in  the  exercise  of  our  free 
will,  must  each  do  the  best  he  can. 

"  I  will  reply  to  your  affecting  wish,  in  the  words  of 
your  own  sovereign  pontiff  on  a  certain,  and  somewhat 
like  occasion," — said  he:  "'Those  who  love  God  will 
not  be  separated  in  the  next  world.'  Surely,  Boiseau, 
you  and  I  love  each  other  purely  and  well;  con- 
sequently, we  must  also  love  the  good  God,  who  made 
us  what  we  are.  I  willingly  leave  it  all  in  His  hands, 
and,  with  simple  faith,  believe  that  He  will  not  allow 
you  and  %  to  be  separated  in  the  hereafter." 

Boiseau  was  overcome.    Before  he  could  frame  words 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  231 

in  reply  to  so  affectionate  a  speech,  the  door  opened, 
and  Charles  Brandon,  accompanied  by  Randolph, 
entered. 

"  Here  are  a  pretty  couple,"  cried  Brandon,  as  he 
fervently  greeted  both  gentlemen.  "I  have  been 
knocking  at  your  door  these  five  minutes,  and  might 
have  been  outside  yet  but  for  Mr.  Randolph,  who  bade 
me  enter  without  ceremony." 

*'  It  is  ahva3^s  the  way  with  these  two,"  said  Ran- 
dolph. "  "When  they  shut  themselves  up  in  this  room, 
they  seem  to  forget  there  is  a  world  outside." 

"Do  not  believe  him,"  said  Carew,  "it  is  a  gross 
exaggeration-  and  now  Mr.  truant  Secretary,  I  hope 
you  have  returned  at  last  to  your  long  neglected  duties. 
Let  us  have  an  account  of  yourself !  " 

Here  all  four,  who  had  been  standing,  sat  down,  and 
Brandon  proceeded  to  relate  hoAv  he  had  spent  his  time 
with  his  father  in  Charleston ;  for  previously,  Carew 
had  been  kept  fully  informed  as  to  his  actions  at  his 
former  location  on  the  farm. 

He  left  his  aged,  and  now  only  parent  with  great 
reluctance,  for  he  was  in  feeble  health;  but  his 
employer  required  his  services  and  here  he  was,  ready 
to  obey  orders. 

"  Like  a  good  soldier  !"  quoth  Boiseau.  "  Mr.  Carew 
is  like  to  have  occupation  enough  for  a  secretary  before 
long." 

"  Yes,"  said  Carew.  "My  poor  Brandon  has  brought 
trouble  upon  himself,  as  well  as  upon  me,  by  sending 
that  excerpt  from  a  London  paper.  As  a  commencement 
of  your  punishment,  sir ;  you  will  at  once  look  over 


232  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

this  heap  of  papers  aud  give  us  an  opinion  as  to  their 
contents." 

"With  great  pleasure,"  answered  Brandon,  with 
alacrity.     "  I  will  begin  after  dinner." 

"  Then  there  is  something  in  it ! "  cried  Randolph, 
who  had  been  only  partially  informed  of  then-  progress 
in  this  matter. 

"Indeed,"  said  Boiseau.  "We  believe  there  is  much 
in  it, —  an  Earldom  and  a  possible  departure  for  Europe 
is  in  it." 

"Well,"  said  the  old  man  after  awhile,  "I  don't 
know  whether  to  be  glad  or  sorry.  Of  course,  anything 
that  is  to  Mr.  Carew's  advantage  will  be  a  source  of 
pleasure  to  me ;  but,  to  be  a  great  lord,  and  in  England 
at  that,  will  leave  three  thousand  miles  of  ocean 
between  him  and  a  poor  old  man,  who  has  not  many 
years  left,"  and  the  noble  old  fellow  bent  his  white 
head  to  hide  his  melancholy. 

Carew,  kindly  and  lovingly  put  a  hand  upon  the 
shoulder  of  his  faithful  manager,  and  said  abruptly: 
"  Cursed  be  the  fate  that  brings  separation  between  us 
in  this  world.  Never,  come  what  may,  will  I  consent 
to  a  permanent  severing  of  my  connection  with  you,  or 
with  you,  or  you,"  continued  he  turning  successively, 
to  each.  "No  earthly  honors  can  compensate  me  for 
the  loss  of  such  friends,  and,  if  it  can  be  arranged  in 
no  other  way, —  England,  honors,  family,  must  all  be 
thrown  away." 

There  was  a  deep  and  solemn  pause,  during  which 
the  unrepressed  tears  trickled  slowly  down  Randolph's 
venerable  face,  while  the  eyes  of  the  others  also 
glistened. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  233 

Carew  was  the  first  to  recover.  "  Now  we  have  said 
enough.  Let  us  away  with  melancholy,  therefore ; 
come  friends,  cheer  up,  and  to  change  this  sad  subject, 
let  us  see  about  dinner,  for  it  is  late." 

"Agreed,"  cried  Bo.iseau  brightening,  who  was  a 
great  lover  of  good  cheer.  They  all  adjourned  to  the 
dining  room,  where  they  found  the  meal  awaiting  them, 
for  Randolph  had  been  searching  for  Carew  and  Boi- 
seau,  with  the  intention  of  calling  them  for  this  pur- 
pose, when  he  found  Brandon,  who  had  just  arrived,  at 
the  door. 


234  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER   XX. 

THE     PARTING. 

BRANDON,  after  having  examined  the  family 
papers,  gave  it-  as  his  decided  opinion,  that 
Carew  could  have  but  little  difficulty  in  substantiating 
his  claim  to  be  the  successor  of  the  ancient  family  in 
England. 

It  was  decided  to  take  no  further  steps  in  the  matter 
for  the  present,  but  to  wait  for  an  answer  to  Boiseau's 
letter  to  the  London  solicitor,  which  might  now  arrive 
almost  any  day.  Meanwhile,  life  at  Court  Lodge  went 
on  smoothly  and  quietly;  for  Carew  had  determined 
upon  inviting  no  more  guests  for  the  present,  as  it 
might  be  necessary  for  him  to  leave  for  Europe  on 
short  notice.  He  had,  indeed,  been  contemplating  a 
trip  abroad  for  some  time  before  this.  He  wished  to 
visit  some  of  the  scenes  of  his  college  days  ;  and  then 
he  had  a  vague  idea  of  lookinof  for  Miss  Stuart.  The 
feeling  that  she  might  be  both  in  poverty  and  in 
trouble  as  well,  pressed  upon  him  like  a  nightmare. 
He  knew  her  pride.  She  would  never  apply  to  any  one, 
however  intimate  they  might  be,  for  assistance.  These 
constant  thoughts  kept  him  in  a  feverish  state  of  unrest. 
He  would  wander  about  the  house  and  grounds  for 
hours,  communing  only  with  himself,  and  glad  to  be  rid, 
for  the  moment,  of  even  Boiseau. 

Thus  time  dragged  on.'     Day  followed  day,  with  the 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  235 

same  unvarying,  weary  monotony,  until  Carew  could 
stand  it  no  longer,  and  announced  his  intention  of 
going  to  Europe  as  soon  as  he  could  get  ready.  He 
was  sure,  too,  that  the  expected  letter  would  arrive  in 
a  few  days,  which  would,  in  any  event,  render  his 
departure  necessary.  These  preparations  would,  there- 
fore, simply  expedite  his  movements. 

In  pursuance  of  this  determination,  he  went  to  New 
Orleans,  and  spent  a  couple  of  weeks  there  in  making 
all  the  requisite  business  arrangements  for  leaving  his 
large  interests  for  several  months.  He  also  decided 
upon  taking  Brandon  with  him.  As  the  good  fellow 
had  never  been  out  of  the  United  States,  this  decision 
gave  him  great  joy.  Sebastian,  too,  was  to  go.  This 
faithful  boy  had  remained  constant  to  his  old  post  as 
valet;  and,  although  he  had  married  the  coquettish 
Sallie  about  a  year  before  this,  he  vowed  that  he  would 
never  leave  his  master,  but  would  follow  him  whither- 
soever he  went,  while  life  lasted. 

When  Carew  returned  to  Court  Lodge,  he  found, 
much  to  his  disappointment,  that  the  now  over-due 
letter  had  not  arrived.  He  had  not  long  to  wait,  how- 
ever, for  it  came  the  next  day,  and  was  as  follows : 

"  London,  13  Leadenhall  Street,  E.  C. 
''September  14th,  18—. 
"  Sm :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re- 
ceipt  of  your   letter   of   July   17th,   written   by   Mr. 
Joseph  Boiseau. 

"  In  reply,  I  have  simply  to  state,  that  if  you  are 
the  person  referred  to  therein,  and  can  prove  yourself 


236  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

to  be  the  son  of  the  Thomas  Carew  spoken  of,  I  am 
morally  certain  that  you  are  entitled  to  the  Earldom 
of  Mayfield,  and  all  the  other  honors  appertaining 
thereto. 

'-'•  There  is  not  much  property,  the  last  Earl  having 
been  very  extravagant  in  his  youth.  The  Palace  of 
Mayfield  is  in  a  ruinous  condition,  and  the  estate  with 
it,  of  about  one  thousand  acres,  is  heavily  mortgaged ; 
but  the  titles  are  well  worth  having,  as  you  are  doubt- 
less aware. 

"  If  you  decide  upon  claiming  these  honors,  it  will  be 
important  for  you  to  visit  England  at  as  early  a  period 
as  possible.  Hoping  to  soon  have  the  honor  of  hearing 
from,  or,  what  is  better,  of  seeing  you  in  person,  I  have 
the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  Robert  Goldsi^hth,  Solicitor." 
"  To  THo:\rAS  Carew,  Esq., 
^'  Court  Lodge, 

"  Louisiana,  U.  S.  A." 

"This  is  brief  and  to  the  point,"  said  Boiseau,  as 
Carew  read  aloud  to  him,  Brandon,  and  Randolph,  the 
above  letter.  "  It  will  be  a  ver}^  easy  matter  to  prove 
what  he  requires.  It  is  a  pity  there  is  so  little  prop- 
erty, and  that,  too,  in  a  dilapidated  condition ! " 

"  What  a  mercenar}^  fellow  you  are  !  "  replied  Carew. 
"  Have  I  not  enough  and  to  spare,  already  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  about  that.  I  have  never  yet 
met  the  man  who  had  enough,  much  less  one  with 
money  to  spare,"  answered  Boiseau,  dubiously. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  237 

"  When  will  you  start  for  England  ?  "  queried  Ran- 
dolph, who  looked  anything  but  happy  at  this  contem- 
plated departure. 

''The  sooner  the  better,  I  suppose,"  said  Carew. 
"  I  had  not  fixed  upon  a  day,  but  think  we  might  leave 
on  the  day  after  to-morrow.  Do  you  know  of  any 
impediment  ?  "  said  he,  turning  to  Brandon. 

That  gentleman's  reply,  "All  is  ready,"  elicited  the 
remark  from  Boiseau,  that  he  would  accompany  them 
as  far  as  New  Orleans,  and  see  them  to  the  last. 

On  the  day  fixed  upon,  therefore,  and  after  a  most 
affecting  separation  between  CarcAv  and  Randolph, 
which  we  will  not  attempt  to  describe,  Carew,  Bran- 
don and  Boiseau,  followed  by  the  faithful  Sebastian, 
went  to  New  Orleans.  They  spent  two  days  in  the 
city,  making  all  the  final  business  dispositions  of 
Carew's  affairs  which  were  required.  Boiseau  was 
given  full  control  of  everything,  and  held  Carew's 
power  of  attorney,  though,  of  course,  he  was  not  to 
interfere  with  Randolph  in  the  management  of  Court 
Lodge.  Carew  had  a  good  deal  of  real  estate  in  New 
Orleans,  together  with  large  amounts  invested  in  stocks, 
bonds,  and  in  money  at  interest,  all  of  which  needed 
constant  attention. 

^  At  last  the  day  for  leaving  came.  They  had  a  quiet 
dinner  at  Carew's  house,  no  one  but  the  party  of  three 
being  present,  not  even  Whitefield;  as  Carew  had  laid 
tlie  most  strict  injunctions  upon  Randolph,  Boiseau  and 
Brandon,  not  to  divulge  a  word  of  his  projected  trip  to 
Europe,  or  to  mention  his  claims  to  the  titles. 

"  For,"  said  he,  "  if  my  mission  proves  a  success,  the 


238  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

good  news  will  spread  rapidly  enough;  while  on  the 
other  hand,  if  it  is  a  failure,  why,  the  less  known  about 
it  the  better.  I  would  have  no  objection  to  telling 
Whitefield  about  the  matter,  but  the  trouble  is,  that  he 
has  a  wife,  who,  if  rumor  is  to  be  credited,  rules  liim 
rather  strictly.  She  would  be  sure  to  extract  the 
secret  from  him,  and  the  world  would  then  soon  hear 
it  all." 

"You  forget,"  said  Brandon,  "that  Boiseau,  also, 
has  a  wif^." 

"  No,  I  do  not  forget  it ;  but  Boiseau  is  more  discreet 
than  most  men;  besides,  I  had  to  trust  him,  nolens 
volens^  whereas,  I  am  under  no  such  obligation  to 
Whitefield." 

"  Ah ! "  said  Brandon  again,  with  a  smile,  "  I  per- 
ceive that  you  have  but  little  confidence  in  married 
men,  and  still  less  in  women.  An  old  bachelor,  there- 
fore, must  be  3*our  beau  ideal  of  a  confidant." 

"  Heaven  forbid  !  I  prefer  trusting  the  married  man, 
for  he  will  impart  a  secret  to  but  one  woman,  whereas 
the  bachelor  will  tell  it  to  twenty." 

Poor  Boiseau  smiled  feebly  at  this,  but  said  nothing ; 
ordinarily  no  one  was  more  gay  and  fond  of  society, 
but  his  heart  was  heavy  on  this  day.  Carew  saw  this 
and  did  his  best  lo  cheer  him,  though  feeling  anything 
but  happy  himself. 

"  Come  old  fellow,  a  glass  of  wine  with  you.  Drink 
to  a  speedy  voyage  and  a  safe  return  home.  The  sooner 
we  part,  the  sooner  we  shall  meet  again,  for  whether 
successful  or  not,  I  expect  to  return  home  as  soon  as 
possible." 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  239 

All  drank  to  the  sentiment,  as  in  duty  bound,  but  q 
uloud  was  over  the  hour.  Each  looked  furtively  at  the 
clock  and  saw  there  was  not  much  time  left.  Boiseau 
at  last  said  in  a  low  and  broken  voice : 

"  Carew,  my  dear  friend,  I  wish  you  every  possible 
success  as  you  well  know ;  it  would  be  but  a  mockery 
for  me  to  attempt  to  express  my  feelings  at  this  moment, 
for  I  do  solemnly  assure  you  that  this  is  no  ordinary 
parting.  Pardon  me  for  what  I  am  about  to  say,  for  I 
would  be  the  last  person  in  the  world  to  throw  a  cloud 
over  the  parting  feelings  of  any  one,  and  least  of  all 
over  yours  —  Carew,  my  life-long,  more  than  friend. 

"But  I  cannot  help  saying  it  —  it  will  out  —  I  feel, 
Thomas  Carew,  that  there  is  a-  fate  in  this  separation, 
God  wills  it,  and  it  must  therefore  be  endui-ed.  But 
we  meet  no  more  in  this  world ! 

"  I  have  a  strange  presentiment  that  I  will  die  soon, 
before  you  can  return ;  therefore  —  say  not  a  word,  I 
implore  you  —  I  will  now  bid  you  adieu.  I  cannot 
accompany  you  to  the  train.  My  heart  would  break. 
Now,  good  by,  and  may  God  preserve  and  bless  you." 
With  these  words,  Boiseau  sprang  to  Carew,  folded  his 
arms  about  him  in  a  fervent  embrace,  kissed  his  brow 
and  vanished  from  the  room. 

"  Joseph !  Joe !  my  dear  friend.  Stop  him,  Bran- 
don ! "  cried  Carew,  as  soon  as  he  could  recover  him- 
self. Brandon  darted  after  Boiseau  on  the  instant, 
but  he  had  rushed  up  stairs  and  bolted  himself  in  his 
room,  nor  would  lie  open  the  door,  even  to  Carew,  who 
came  up  immediately.     He  only  replied  : 

"No!  no!  it  is  all  over  now  —  cfo." 


240  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

Carew  wished  to  defer  their  journey  for  another  day, 
but  was  opposed  in  this  by  Brandon;  who  rightly  con- 
jectured that  the  parting  in  any  event,  between  two 
such  friends  must  be  painful  in  the  extreme ;  but,  as  it 
was  inevitable,  so  had  it  already  occurred.  Better  there- 
fore was  it  to  go  now  than  to  renew,  on  the  following 
day,  this  affecting  scene. 

The  carriage  to  take  them  to  the  train  was  at  the 
door,  all  arrangements  had  been  made  and  he  coun- 
selled an  immediate  departure.  These  arguments  had 
their  weight,  and  after  another  ineffectual  effort  to  see 
Boiseau,  Carew  called  out  an  affectionate  adieu  through 
the  door,  which  was  responded  to  from  the  other  side. 
He  then  sorrowfully  descended  to  the  carriage,  where 
Brandon  was  impatiently  awaiting  him,  the  time  being 
now  reduced  to  the  very  last  minutes. 

"  Brandon!  I  do  not  feel  justified  in  going  off  in  this 
way.  Suppose  it  should  prove  true,  this  presentiment 
of  his  ?  I  should  feel  a  life-long  regret.  Let  us  turn 
back." 

"  No ! "  said  Brandon  firmly,  laying  his  hand  on 
Carew's  arm  as  he  spoke,  to  prevent  him  from  calling 
to  the  driver,  who  had  whipped  up  his  horses  and  was 
already  on  the  way.  "  No  ;  I  am  satisfied  you  are  pursu- 
ing the  proper  course  in  leaving  to-day  ;  there  are  many 
reasons  for  this  opinion.  I  will  mention  but  one,  in  the 
hope  that  it  will  have  a  powerful  influence  with  you. 

"Do  you  not  remember  when  you  wrote  me,  about  a 
year  ago,  in  New  York,  to  the  effect  that  Boiseau 
had  been  quite  ill,  though  when  you  wrote  he  was  hap- 
pily   recovered?      The   physician    had   examined   him 


THE    EARL    OF    MAVFIELD.  241 

tl.e  heart  If  all  th.s  was  true,  can  you  not  easily  per- 
ceiv^  that  any  sudden  emotion  of  either  joy  or  sorfovv 
nnght  carry  hi™  oif?  XVl,y  then  subjecJ  .im  to  t  I 
tra.n  of  another  parting  which  would  'surely  come  n 
oirr^   too,  if  you  wait   another   4  in    '^Z 

Carew  was  much  struck  by  these  sensible  and  weU 

:rt~'^'^"'^°''''^--'°-'^--^-thanac;:- 

"  Well,  well ! "  said  he.     "  God  only  knows      You 
a.e  doubtless  right,  but  my  heart  is  Le  amlheavT 

Will  we  2r'"  ^"""^  '^^^^^^  "-  ^*--r  sails. 

Brandon   replied  in  the   affirmative,   provided  that 
Boiseau  remained  in  the  citv      TI10        1    ,  ,  * 

however    ih-^f-h.  ,!       ^'  "  Probabih ties  were 

evKlenceof  good  health,  for  if  i^ hf  IIm  be  mott 
;het:ttrerent"^^^^^'--------^e1 

h<IT  °°"^'f"^'  *'^«y  '-^r^ved  at  the  train,  which 

nexTch  p ter  w"  "  '."°""*  °'  ""  ^"^"°^  ^°^  '^^^ 
ever  W  ■.  '  'T'  "°'  ^^^'S^'  *»  mention,  how- 
evei,   that  before  sailing,   Carew  sent  a  telegram   to 

speed.  ^^'"'°   '^''^y'   '-^"'^  "'^«^""8-  ">e'n  God 


speed. 

15 


242  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

INCIDENTS    ON    SHIP-BOARD. 

ARRIVED  in  New  York,  Carew  stopped  at  the 
Brevoort,  his  favorite  house.  He  had  to  remain 
there  for  nearly  three  weeks,  attending  to  matters  of 
business ;  he  also  paid  a  short  visit  to  his  country  house, 
leaving  Brandon  in  New  York  and  instructing  him  to 
engage  their  passages  on  the  first  Cunarder  sailing 
nearest  to  the  day  on  which  they  could  get  ready. 
This  steamer  proved  to  be  the  "  Russia,"  but  when  the 
day  for  sailing  came  around  it  was  made  known  that, 
owing  to  some  trouble  with  the  machinery,  this  vessel 
could  not  sail  until  several  days  after  the  appointed 
time.  Carew  now  became  exceedingly  impatient,  and 
determined  upon  taking  the  first  steamer  ready  to 
depart  for  England. 

They  found  a  small,  but  handsome  and  well-appointed 
ste9,mer,  called  the  "  State  of  Indiana,"  which  was  to 
leave  that  day  for  Glasgow,  via  Larne.  On  this  ship 
they  therefore  went  immediately,  and  were  provided 
with  excellent  rooms  —  there  being  but  few  passengers 
gave  them  an  ample  choice. 

We  give  here  extracts  from  the  log  of  the  steamer 
^'  State  of  Indiana,"  sailing  from  New  York,  Oct.  14th, 
18—: 

"  Left  Pier  36,  North  River,  Wednesday,  at  3  P.  M., 
and  at  noon  on  Thursdav,  15th,  had  made  217  miles. 


THE    EARL 

OF    MAYFIELD. 

To  noon  on 

Friday, 

16th, 

had 

made  295  i 

To 

Saturday, 

17th, 

u 

"        310 

To 

Sunday, 

18th, 

ii 

305 

To 

Monday, 

19th, 

u 

"        250 

To 

Tuesday, 

20th, 

ii 

"        280 

To 

Wednesday,  21st, 

u 

"        278 

To 

Thursday, 

22d, 

u 

273 

To 

Friday, 

23d, 

u 

298 

To 

Saturday, 

24th, 

(( 

296 

Sunday  and 

Monday,  25th  and  26th, 

"      398 

243 


Total  distance  from  New  York  to  Glasgow,  3200  miles. 

Arrived  at  Glasgow  on  Monday,  October  26th,  18 — , 
at  six  in  the  morning.  The  weather  was  fine  up  to  the 
18th,  when  it  stormed  heavily  from  the  northeast, 
causing  heavy  head  seas,  and  compelling  us  to  run  the 
vessel  on  slow  bells.  Monday,  19th. — One  of  the 
steerage  passengers  died  this  morning,  of  pneumonia, 
and  was  buried  at  3  P.  M.  He  had  but  two  shillings  in 
his  pocket,  and  was  returning  home  to  Belfast.  The 
captain  read  the  service  over  him.  The  ship  was 
stopped  and  the  body  heaved  over.  Wednesda}",  21st. 
—  Weather  very  cold,  but  fine  and  favorable  during  the 
last  few  hours.  Passed  a  fleet  of  '  Portuguese  men-of- 
war' — the  Nautilus. —  Thursday,  22d. — Large. icebergs 
five  miles  to  the  north ;  sea  full  of  sharks  around  the 
ship." 

Brandon,  who  had  never  been  at  sea  before,  made 
these  extracts,  and  we  insert  them  here  in  the  hope  of 
interesting  those  who  may  never  have  made  the  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic. 


244  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

Nothing  further  occurred  worth  mentioning  beyond 
the  fact  of  Sebastian's  terror  when  he  found  there 
was  a  dead  body  on  board,  and  that  it  was  to  be  com- 
mitted to  the  deep.  The  poor  fellow  had  been  des- 
perately ill,  and,  not  being  aware  that  sea-sickness, 
though  distressing  enough,  is  not  dangerous,  he  was 
completely  cast  down  already,  when  the  above  news 
reached  him. 

Curiosity,  however,  brought  him  on  deck,  for  the 
first  time  since  leaving  harbor,  and  he  saw  the  remains 
of  the  unfortunate  man  brought  to  the  after  gang- 
way, in  a  slow  and  solemn  procession,  by  the  sailors. 
It  was  enveloped  in  canvas,  sewed  up  tightly,  and  fol- 
lowing the  outlines  of  the  body  so  closely  as  to  form  a 
hideous  caricature,  most  ghastly  to  behold.  A  large 
lump  of  coal  was  firmly  tied  between  the  feet,  to  insure 
an  erect  position  as  it  was  slung  over  the  side  of  the 
ship.  It  lay  on  a  broad  plank,  the  feet  projecting  out- 
wards, and  resting  on  the  edge  of  the  gangway,  which 
had  been  opened  for  that  purpose. 

The  captain  then  came  forward,  his  officers  stood  next 
him,  the  sailors  and  passengers  ranging  themselves  in  a 
semicircle  around  the  corpse  ;  the  ship's  bell  was  tolled, 
during  which  time  the  captain  read  the  church  of  Eng- 
land burial  service,  with  uncovered  head.  As  he  ceased, 
the  vessel  was  stopped ;  two  sailors  cut  loose  and 
removed  the  English  Union  Jack  which  had  enveloped 
the  body ;  and,  at  a  signal  from  the  captain,  raised  the 
head  of  the  body  until  it  slid  off,  shooting  several 
yards  from  the  ship's  side  in  an  inclined  position;  the 
weight  at  the  feet  caused  it  to  gradually  assume  an  erect 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  245 

posture,  when  it  struck  the  water,  feet  first,  and  slowly 
aisajipeared  from  mortal  vision. 

Poor  Sebastian  gazed  with  fixed  eyes  on  this  solemn 
ZT,  V  ;"7«d  by  an  uncontrollable  impulse,  he 
vent  to  the  bulwark,  and  leaning  over,  watched  the 
body  as  oug  as  he  could  see  it,  settling  down,  down, 
into  the  limpid  waters  of  mid-ocean ! 
_  He  forgot  his  sea-sickness,  and  sought  his  master 
immediately  after  the  funeral,  and,  with  face  of  an  ashy 

from  homeT    ^™  ^^'^  ^^"^  '"'"^'^  '°°°  ^'*  ^^'^  '''''' 

"Oh,   nonsense,"    said    Carew,   rather   impatiently, 

peope  die  everyday,  Sebastian,  and  they  are  quite 

as  liable  to  be  taken  off  at  sea  as  elsewhere  '  " 

"  That  is  true,  master ;  but  I  had  such  awful  dreams 

folks!'^       "°  '"'*   °°®"''  "^"'^   '^^'  ^'^'l   ^'^^ 

"Well,"  interposed  Brandon,  "you  were  feeling 
bad  y  from  sea  sickness,  and  you  knew  this  man  was 
likely  to  die,  therefore  you  very  naturally  had  such 
dreams  as  you  describe." 

But  Sebastian  had  made  up  his  mind  to  hear  evil  ^ 
tidings  from  home,  and  would  not  be  comforted  Vis- 
ions of  poor  Sallie,  his  young  wife,  floated  through  his 
unsettled  mind.  He  asked  how  long  it  would  tfke  to 
get  news  from  home  after  they  reached  land  ?  Brandon 
informed  him  that  another  vessel  might  arrive  with 
le^tters  within  a  day  or  two  after  they  reached  Glas- 

"But;'  he  continued,  "there  is  the  telegraph,  you 
l^now,    Sebastian;    if    anything    important  has    gone 


246  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

wrong,  Mr.  Randolph  would  send  the  news  over  at 
once ! " 

"  Do  you  think,  sir,"  said  the  boy,  "  that  he  would 
take  de  trouble  to  telegrab  if  Sallie  was  dead?  " 

"  Certainly  he  would,"  answered  Carew,  breaking  in 
at  this  point  in  the  conversation.  "  Now  make  your 
mind  easy,  my  boy,  aiid  think  no  more  about  it." 

Sebastian  went  off  somewhat  comforted,  but  still 
feeling  an  assurance  that  they  would  soon  get  bad  news 
of  some  kind  from  home.  ' 

In  due  course  of  time  the  good  ship  arrived  in  sight 
of  Tory  Island,  off  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  then  fol- 
lowed a  varied  panorama  of  most  lovely  views,  as  the 
coast  of  Ireland  on  the  right,  and  the  isles  of  the 
Western  Hebrides  —  made  so  famously  interesting  in 
A  Princess  of  Tlmle  —  outlined  by  the  Mull  of  Cantire, 
and  the  Props  of  Jura  on  the  left,  came  gradually  in 
sight. 

They  sailed  within  a  cable's  length,  to  use  a  nautical 
phrase,  of  the  Giant's  Causeway,  its  wonderful  columns 
of  basalt  being  plainly  visible ;  then  came  an  "  Irish 
blessing,"  in  the  shape  of  a  light  shower,  followed  by  a 
charming  succession  of  alternate  gleams  of  sunlight 
and  flashes  of  prismatic  colors,  dancing  low  on  the 
waters  around  the  ship. 

"  Verily,"  cried  Brandon,  enchanted,  ''  this  is  fairy 
land !  we  have  nothing  like  it  in  America ;  see  what 
a  lovely  prospect !  the  sheep  and  cattle  grazing  on  the 
deep  green  hillsides  I  what  a  charming  contrast  of  the 
different  shades  of  colors  are  presented  by  the  various 
crops,  spread  like  a  gigantic  picture  before  our  eyes !  '* 


THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  247 

"  It  is,  indeed,  beautiful,"  said  Carew ;  "  I  have  always 
contended  that  Ireland  is  the  most  lovely  country  in 
the  world!  With  thrift  and  good  government,  its 
hardy  people,  splendid  soil  and  vigorous  climate,  would 
soon  make  it  the  most  prosperous  of  countries  I  " 

"  Do  you  think  such  a  day  will  ever  come  ?  " 

"I  do,"  answered  Carew.  '^England  is  already 
beginning  to  see  the  mistake  she  has  made  in  misgov- 
erning Ireland  for  so  many  centuries,  and  if  she  gives 
Mr.  Gladstone  full  powers,  the  island  will  soon  begin 
to  recuperate,  and  become  not  only  prosperous  but 
great." 

"So  you  consider  Gladstone  a  great  man?"  queried 
Brandon,  curious  to  get  the  views  of  Carew  on  English 
topics,  as  it  was  very  probable  that  he  would  himself 
soon  have  a  seat  in  the  House  of  Lords. 

"I  am-  not  so  sure  of  his  being  a  great  man,"  an- 
swered Carew ;  "  these  are  large  words  and  mean 
much;  I  think  him,  however,  the  best  statesman  Eng- 
land has.  There  is  one  serious  defect  in  his  character, 
which  will  be  likely  to  bring  him  into  trouble,  and  that 
is,  his  liberality;  he  confounds  this  quality  with  free- 
dom. 

"  Now,  I  do  not  believe  in  too  much  of  either  quality  ! 
In  some  things  one  cannot  be  liberal !  Truth,  for 
instance,  is  immutable,  and  therefore,  truth  is  intoler- 
ant ;  thus  I  can  readily  understand  the  logical  sequence 
of  the  dogma  of  infallibility  in  the  Catholic  church, 
now  being  so  seriously  agitated.  The  Catholics  believe 
their  church  to  be  Truth,  itself,  therefore  it  must  be 
infallible,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  intolerant. 


248  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"Gladstone  is  too  liberal;  he  Tvants  every  man 
to  think  and  act  as  he  likes.  This  idea,  fully  carried 
out  to  its  legitimate  consequences,  would  result  in 
chaos ! 

"  His  ideas  of  liberty  in  the  subject  are  entirely  too 
latitudinarian.  Man  should  not  be  free  to  do  exactly 
what  he  likes !  There  are  laws  of  God  which  cannot 
be  transgressed  with  impunity ;  there  are  also  the  laws 
of  human  governments,  and  they  must  be  wisely 
and  strongly  enforced,  else  society  soon  lapses  into 
anarchy ! 

"  I  am  in  hopes,"  continued  Carew,  "  that  I  will  have 
the  honor  of  obtaining  an  interview  with  Mr.  Gladstone 
before  leaving  England  !  " 

The  ship's  lines  were  now  being  cast  on  the  dock  in 
the  harbor  of  the  little  village  of  Larne.  Here  she  lay 
for  several  hours,  during  which  time  the  friends  strolled 
on  the  shore,  admiring  alike  the  beauties  of  the  land- 
scaj)e  —  and  the  land. 

These  latter  were  the  bonnie  lassies  of  old  Ireland, 
who,  with  crimson  cheeks,  flashing  eyes  and  pearly 
teeth,  came  flocking  down  to  inspect  the  ship  and  her 
passengers  from  "  Ameriky." 

Late  in  the  evening  the  good  ship  left  the  Irish  coast 
and  steered  through  the  tortuous  waters  of  Scotland, 
all  aglow  with  the  phosphorescence  of  the  gloomy  and 
m3'sterious  northern  sea.  Their  course  was  for  the 
mouth  of  the  Clyde,  which  they  reached  in  the  night, 
proceeding  as  far  as  Greenock,  where  they  drojjped 
anchor  and  waited  for  daylight  before  ascending  the 
river  to  Glasgow. 


THE    EAEL     OP    MATFIELD.  249 

The  two  gentlemen  were  up  with  the  early  dawn 
desu-ous  of   seeing  all  the  beauties  of  fair  Scotland 

sTl  '  '"  ""^"'  ^  P""'"^^^'  ^^^  -g'-'  enthu: 

Any  want  of  appreciation  on  his  part,  however  was 

idst  L""'^  7 ''  ^^^"^°"'  -^°  -"Id  -I'S 

vhlt  h.       ^'t'  ^"'  ««*°ni«l^«ent  and  admiration  at 
what  he  saw.     He  scarcely  knew  which  to  praise  most, 

table  will  and  energy  of  the  people  who  had  converted 
the  puny  stream  on  which  they  floated  into  a  maanifi- 
thfwoJldV'^'^"^  "'  — ''^""g  the  commerce  of 

casUe  of   some   great  noble,  with  its  extensive  park 

to    he  It     ""'   "^t'^^^'  ^'°P'"°"  -^-^   g--f«% 
to  the  water  s  edge.     Turning  about,  he  faced  the  noble 

of  Scotland   while  over  the  castle  situated  on  its  sum- 
ri^ng  sr.'  '"^         ^°''^  '"  ^'^^  ^^'^^  ^^^-"^  °f  the 

clreds  of  iron  monsters  on  the  stocks,  of  every  size  and  ' 

Chla'o  of   r  ;  ''''   '''"''   "'  ""'^'SO^^'  the 

wea  thy  and  more  wonderful  in  the  marvellous  rapidity 

of  Its  growth    han  the  blatant  town  of  America.  "^ 

Brandon,  although  a  well-read  man,  had  perhaps 


250  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

naturally,  imbibed  a  good  many  of  the  crude  ideas  so 
prevalent  in  the  United  States,  and  believed  everything 
in  Europe  to  be  slow  and  effete,  while  America,  on  the 
other  hand,  represented  all  that  exists  in  our  day  of 
true  civilization  and*progress. 

We  must  not  anticipate,  but  will  rather  let  the  reader 
see  the  gradual  progress  of  Brandon's  mind  as  he  con- 
templated Europe,  its  peoples,  its  governments,  and  its 
institutions. 

The  ship  arrived  at  the  dock  after  undergoing  the 
usual  examination  at  the  Custom  House.  Our  hero 
and  his  party  went  to  their  quarters  in  the  best  hotel 
of  the  town,  near  George's  Square.  Carew  was  much 
amazed  at  the  wonderful  progress  of  Glasgow,  which 
had,  within  a  century,  become  the  second  cit}^  of  Great 
Britain,  and  the  commercial  metropolis  of  Scotland. 
He  and  Brandon  had  many  discussions,  as  they  w^alked 
about,  over  the  extraordinary  progress  of  England  and 
Scotland.  This  unexampled  prosperit}^  proved  to  the 
world  that  the  old  land  still  possessed  the  vigor  of 
youth,  added  to  the  mature  experience  of  old  age. 

But  such  questions  belong  more  properly  to  the  com- 
mercial, prosaic  world  of  every  day  life,  rather  than  to 
the  pages  of  our  story,  we  will  therefore  return  to  our 
subject. 

In  the  afternoon  they  procured  a  carriage  and  drove 
to  Kelvin  Grove,  and  thence  to  the  Cathedral,  at  seeing 
which  Sebastian  was  thunderstruck  —  Carew  had  per- 
mitted him  to  occupy  a  seat  by  the  driver. 

"  Gollj^ !  Master  Carew,  is  dat  big  house  a  church  ? 
Why,  they  might  put  'mos  all  de  churches  in  Orleans 
inside  of  it !  " 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  251 

On  being  assured  that  it  was  not  only  a  church,  but 
was  several  hundred  years  old  into  the  bargain,  his 
amazement  knew  no  bounds ;  he  seemed  incapable, 
though  an  intelligent  negro,  of  understanding  how  a 
building  could  be  constructed  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
last  for  so  many  ages. 

We  will  not  enter  into  a  description  of  this  world- 
renowned  minster.  It  has  been  reproduced  in  so  many 
pen  pictures  that  we  shrink  from  the  infliction  of  our 
feeble  efforts  upon  the  patient  and  gentle  reader. 

Carew  and  Brandon  left  Sebastian  outside,  and  en- 
tered the  old  kirk.  They  examined  the  beautiful 
Gothic  tracery,  the  stained  glass,  the  ancient  monu- 
ments with  their  inscriptions,  recalling  to  the  minds  of 
the  travellers  from  the  new  world  many  stories  of  early 
times  connected  with  the  names  now  before  them. 

With  a  peculiar  feeling  of  awe  and  surprise,  mingled 
in  strange  confusion,  did  Brandon  reflect  that  the 
mortal  remains  of  many  of  these  persons  who  had 
rendered  themselves  famous,  and  some  of  them  infa- 
mous as  well,  lay  mouldering  under  his  feet ! 

They  might  easily  lie  under  his  feet,  for  so  close  were 
the  graves  that,  in  many  mstances  the  stone,  with  its 
inscription  covering  one,  touched  that  over  an  adjoin- 
ing tomb. 

After  walking  a  number  of  times  around,  Carew 
said: 

"  Let  us  now  visit  the  vaults  beneath.  I  wish  also 
to  show  you  St.  Mungo's  well." 

After  seeing  this  and  relating  to  his  secretary  a 
legend  of  the  saint,  they  entered  the  vaults — formerly 


252  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

used  as  a  cemetery  —  but  now  occupied  only  by  rats, 
darkness  and  the  damp.  Carew  stepped  behind  one  of 
the  huge  columns  which,  in  great  numbers,  support  the 
ceiling  and  building  above,  saying : 

''  I  like  to  imagine  myself  to  be  "  Rob  Roy,"  and 
fancy  this  is  the  identical  column  from  which  he  warned 
young  Osbaldistone  of  his  danger,  and  at  the  same 
time  made  an  appointment  with  him :  to  use  his  own 
words  — 

"  'Meet  me  to-night  on  the  Brigg,  at  twelve  precisely 
— keep  at  home  'till  the  gloaming,  and  avoid  observa- 
tion.' 

"  Dear,  delightful,  immortal  Sir  Walter ! "  cried 
Brandon,  by  way  of  reply,  "how  gratefid  Scotland 
ought  to  be,  and  I  hope  is,  to  his  memory,  for  he  has 
done  more  to  make  her  famous  and  interesting,  than 
all  of  her  kings  and  nobles  put  together  I  " 

"  You  may  indeed  say  so,"  said  our  hero,  coming  out 
from  behind  the  column.  "  I  am  told  that  they  have 
erected  a  fine  monument  to  him  in  this  city.  It  is  in 
George's  Square ;  let  us  go  and  look  at  it  on  our  way 
back  to  the  hotel." 

Thus  speaking,  the  friends  went  to  examine  the  statue, 
then  Carew  ordered  the  carriage  to  stop  at  the  telegraph 
office,  where  he  sent  a  dispatch  to  his  bankers  in  London 
requesting  that  his  mails  be  forwarded  to  Edinburgh, 
for  which  city  they  left  on  the  next  day. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  253 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

.NEWS     FROM     HOME. 

ON  entering  the  hotel  at  Edinburgh,  Carew's  first 
care  was  an  inquiry  for  letters;  but  none  had 
arrived.  The  friends,  after  breakfast,  walked  to  Caltor 
Hill,  stopping  on  the  way  to  admire  the  noble  monu- 
ment to  Sir  Walter  Scott,  on  Princes  Street.  After 
sitting  for  some  time  on  the  base  of  Nelson's  monu- 
ment, gazing  at  the  varied  prospect  and  historical- 
buildings  which  crowded  on  the  eye,  Brandon  glanced 
at  his  watch  and  remarking  that  it  was  yet  early, 
proposed  to  walk  further.  Carew  assented,  and  they 
continued.  On  descending  from  Caltor  Hill,  they 
walked  in  a  southerly  direction  for  several  hundred 
yards,  through  a  narroAv  street  which  presently  termi- 
nated in  a  spacious,  well-paved  thoroughfare  —  crowded 
with  vehicles  and  foot  passengers. 

"This,"  said  Carew,  "is  the  famous  High  Street, 
or  Canongate,  and  which  leads  in  a  direct  line  from 
the  Castle  to  Holyrood.  We  are  not  far  from  the 
palace ;  indeed,  the  ruins  you  see  are  those  of  the  Chapel 
Royal.  Let  us  visit  them.  We  will  not  have  time  to 
go  over  Holyrood  itself  before  dinner." 

Brandon  gladly  consenting,  the}^  pressed  rapidly 
forward  and  soon  reached  the  open  space  around  the 
palace,  which  gave  them  a  fine  view  of  the  venerable 
structure  —  so  celebrated  in  history  and  in  song. 


254  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  Ah ! "  cried  Brandon,  after  some  moments,  "  it  is 
impossible  to  realize  that  I  am  now  standing  " —  they 
were  within  the  open  and  crumbling  walls  of  the 
Chapel  Royal — "on  a  spot  consecrated  by  the  bones  of 
countless  kings.  Poor,  unfortunate,  beautiful,  and  I 
grieve  to  have  to  say  it,  perhaps  guilty,  Mary.  How 
indelibly  is  this  spot  and  these  scenes  associated  with 
her  memory." 

Carew  replied:  "It  is  impossible,  as  you  say,  to 
realize,  on  the  first  or  even  the  second  visit  to  Europe, 
the  full  importance  of  places  and  things.  The  mind  is 
confused  by  the  crowding  of  numberless  images  upon 
the  eye.  It  refuses  from  sheer  inability  to  perform  its 
functions.  The  result  is,  that  most  Americans  return 
home  less  wise  —  because  more  conceited — than  when 
they  left." 

"  How  then,"  said  Brandon,  "  would  you  have  an 
American  make  the  tour  of  Europe?" 

"  That  is  just  the  point.  I  would  not  have  him 
make  the  tour  of  Europe  at  all  on  his  first  visit,  but 
would  have  him  take  it  by  installments.  You  remember 
the  adage,  'beware  of  the  man  with  one  book;'  which 
simply  means  it  is  better  to  know  a  little  and  know  it 
thoroughly,  than  to  spread  over  much  and  have  only  a 
confused  set  of  ideas  floating  in  your  brain,  which  are 
of  no  practical  value  and  can  never  be  utilized. 

"  We  Americans  are  too  superficial ;  we  imagine  that, 
because  we  can  run  over  two  or  three  thousand  miles  of 
ground  at  home  and  get  a  pretty  fair  idea  of  what  has 
passed  before  us  —  if  I  may  use  the  phrase  —  we  imagine, 
I  repeat,  that  we  can  do  the  same  in   Europe,  where 


THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  255 

the  monuments,  the  history  unci  the  actions  of  countless 
millions  of  people,  ranging  through  many  centuries,  are 
crowded  within  a  comparatively  narrow  area,  being  too 
much  to  be  taken  in  and  digested  at  once." 

"Your  plan,"  remarked  Brandon,  "would  be  an 
excellent  one  for  those  who  have  both  leisure  and 
means  enough  to  enable  them  to  make  repeated  trips 
to  Europe ;  but  the  great  majority  of  our  people  who 
cross  the  Atlantic  can  do  so  but  once,  and  then,  natu- 
rally enough,  they  desire  to  see  as  much  as  is  possible 
in  the  limited  time." 

"In  answer  to  you,"  replied  Carew,  "I  can  only 
repeat  what  I  said  before,  'tis  better  to  see  a  little  and 
see  it  properly.  The  very  class  of  Americans  you 
allude  to,  have  made  us  the  laughing  stock  of  Europe 
by  their  absurd  antics.  Foreigners  look  upon  us  with 
surprise,  it  is  true,  but  the  surprise  is  largely  mingled 
with  pity  and  contempt  for  our  ignorance  and  folly. 
While  in  this  connection,  I  will  relate  a  conversation 
which  I  overheard  some  years  ago  on  the  Rhine  steamer, 
from  Cologne  to  Mayence,  between  a  German  and  a 
young  American. 

"It  transpired  that  the  American  had  landed  at 
Queenstown  only  about  two  weeks  previous  to  that 
time ;  since  when  he  had  '  done '  the  British  isles, 
France,  Belgium,  was  then  in  Germany,  on  his  way  to 
Italy,  and  would  proceed  thence  to  Switzerland,  and 
then  back  to  England  through  France.  He  expected  to 
accomplish  all  this  in  two  months.  The  German  heard 
all  with  profound  attention,  and  then  inquired  whether 
the  gentleman  had  ever  visited  Europe  before.     On  a 


256  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

negative  response  being  given,  he  threw  up  his  eyes 
and  ejaculated  this  simple  remark : 

" '  And  so  you  expect  to  absorb  all  of  these  countries 
and  peoples  in  two  months  ! ' 

"Volumes,  my  dear  fellow ! "  continued  Carew,  " could 
not  have  said  more.  This  steady -going,  intelligent 
German,  I  found  out  afterwards,  was  intending  to 
spend  tliree  months  in  exploring  the  historic  and 
fabled  Rhine." 

They  now  returned  to  the  hotel,  and  after  an  excel- 
lent dinner,  Brandon  proposed  that  they  get  a  carriage 
and  drive  to  the  Castle.  Carew  consented,  for  he  had 
only  stopped  in  Scotland  to  give  his  friend  an  opportu- 
nity of  catching  a  glimpse  of  the  country;  he  was 
himself  anxious  to  push  up  to  London. 

To  the  castle  they  went.  Brandon  was  charmed 
with  everything.  He  saw  all :  "  ]\Ions  ^leg,"  the  room 
James  was  born  in,  the  window  from  which  he  was  let 
down  when  an  infant,  the  crown  jewels,  and  all  the 
lions,  including  the  building  itself.  He  scarcel}'  knew 
which  to  admire  most — the  strong  castle,  erected  so 
judiciously  on  its  rocky  fastness ;  or  the  superb  scenery, 
visible  from  its  walls  for  many  miles  in  everj^  direction, 
and  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  North  sea. 

"  No  wonder  is  it,"  cried  he,  "  that  Scott  T;^Tote  such 
delightful  stories;  there  is  a  flavor  of  romance  in  the 
very  air  of  Scotland." 

"No  wonder,  indeed,"  echoed  our  hero,  as  they 
re-entered  the  carriage. 

After  driving  about  the  city  a  bit,  to  view  other 
curiosities,  including  a  hasty  run  through  the  spacious 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  257 

halls  and  apartments  of  Holyroocl,  at  the  other  end  of 
the  town,  they  returned  to  the  hotel. 
■  Here    Sebastian  met  them  and  opened  the  carriage 
door  to  let  them  out.     His  eyes  were  dilated  to  their 
greatest  diameter. 

"Master,"  said  he,  "deres  injuns  in  this  country. 
I's  scared.  They 's  mighty  wild  lookin'  and  carries  big 
swords  and  axes." 

This  was  a  portion  of  a  Highland  regiment,  strolling 
about  the  streets,  off  duty,  whom  the  boy  had  met.  As 
he  was  himself  something  of  a  curiosity  in  Scotland,  the 
soldiers  had  stared  at  and  made  remarks  about  him, 
much  to  his  consternation.  Nor  was  a  full  explanation 
of  their  costume  and  profession  fully  satisfactory  to 
him.  He  was  evidently  uneasy,  and  announced  his 
determination  to  either  keep  within  doors  for  the 
future,  or  to  go  out  only  with  his  master  or  Brandon. 

As  the  gentlemen  passed  through  the  hall  on  the 
way  to  their  rooms,  a  package  of  letters  was  put  into 
Carew's  hands,  with  the  statement  that  it  had  arrived 
from  London  within  the  hour.  Brandon  ran  ahead  and 
by  the  time  Carew  reached  his  room,  he  had  a  light 
burning.  The  latter  sat  down  and  began  to  look  over 
the  letters  and  papers,  assisted  by  his  secretary. 

"  Here,"  said  the  latter,  "  is  a  telegram  from  some- 
where." 

"  Let  me  read  that  first,"  answered  Carew,  quickly. 
"It  is  a  cable  dispatch,"  continued  he,  opening  it. 
"  And,  gracious  heavens  !  what  news  !  "  exclaimed  he, 
dropping  the  paper  and  grasping  the  table  with  such 
violence  as  to  nearly  overthrow  it. 
16 


258  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  What  can  be  tlie  matter  ? "  cried  his  friend,  anx- 
iously, picking  up  tlie  paper  as  he  spoke  and  extending 
it  again  to  Carew. 

"  No,  no  !  I  cannot  read  it  again ;  look  for  yourself." 
Brandon  read  the  following  words,  signed  by  Ran- 
dolph, and  dated  from  New  Orleans: 

"  Xovember  1st,  18 — 
"Boiseau   died   yesterday,   suddenly,  and   of  heart 
disease." 

Sebastian  had  entered,  anxious  too,  to  hear  from 
home,  knowing  that  letters  had  arrived.  Carew  would 
neither  speak  to  nor  notice  any  one.  He  sat  motionless, 
his  face  buried  in  his  hands.  The  poor  boy  divined  at 
once  that  something  terrible  had  happened.  He  ad- 
dressed himself  with  imploring  eyes  to  Brandon,  who 
briefly  informed  him  of  Boiseau's  death. 

Sebastian  broke  immediately  into  a  most  doleful 
howl,  sobbing  and  crying  alternately : 

"  Poor  master  Joe !  poor  master  Joe !  I  knew  we 
was  to  git  bad  news.  I'se  most  sure  of  it."  And  he 
went  on  wringing  his  hands  in  a  distressing  manner. 

Brandon  saw  that  Carew  was  beginning  to  move 
uneasily  in  his  chair,  and  apprehending  a  reprimand  to 
the  poor  boy  for  his  sincere  but  ill-timed  display, 
beckoned  him  to  go  into  the  adjoining  room,  when  he 
closed  the  door  and  returned  to  Carew. 

Brandon  was  much  perplexed,  not  knowing  whether 
it  was  best  to  keep  silence,  out  of  respect  for  the  grief 
of  Carew,  or  whether  to  speak.  Meanwhile  he  anx- 
iously paced  the  room,  glancing  at  every  turn  at  his 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  259 

friend,  and  watching  for  a  favorable  moment  in  which 
to  express  his  sympathy. 

Carew  at  last  broke  silence  in  these  words : 

"  Did  ever  man  lose  a  more  faithful  friend  ?  No  !  I 
can  answer  myself  without  hesitation.  Poor,  poor, 
dear  Joseph ;  and  yet  why  should  I  say  poor  Joseph,  as 
though  in  pity  ?  He  is  not  to  be  pitied ;  I  am  the  loser 
—  the  poor  wretch  left  behind,  with  no  rock  to  cling  to 
as  he  had. 

"He  had  not  his  pure  faith  in  the  great  hereafter 
tarnished,  as  mine  is,  by  a  single  doubt.  He  had  his 
pure,  amiable,  simple,  manly  life  to  place  before  his 
Maker  as  an  unimpeachable  record  of  his  life  here 
below,  and  which  would  and  has,  before  this,  entitled 
his  sinless  soul  to  enter  the  pearly  gates. 

"  No !  'tis  not  Joseph  Boiseau,  but  Thomas  Carew 
who  is  to  be  pitied. 

"  Who  knows  ?  May  not  his  pure  essence  be  now  in 
this  room,  gazing  with  tender  and  loving  vision  on  his 
poor  friend  ?  " 

Carew  rose  as  he  uttered  these  words  in  an  awe- 
stricken  voice,  and  looked  beseechingly  around.  His 
eye  lit  on  Brandon,  of  whose  presence  he  had  been 
apparently  unaware.  Smiling  sadly  but  kindly,  he  held 
out  his  hand,  which  was  eagerly  grasped,  and  said  in 
his  natural  tone  and  manner: 

"  Old  fellow,  you  here  ?  I  am  glad  of  it,  for  I  was 
rapidly  giving  way  to  sickly  fancies,  which  are,  you 
know,  not  wholesome  for  either  mind  or  body." 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  see  you  come  once  more  to  your- 
self," exclaimed  Brandon,  simply,  fearing  to  say  mora 
lest  his  friend  should  relapse  into  his  former  state. 


260  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"Thanks,  dear  Brandon,"  said  he,  "I  know  you 
appreciate  my  feelings  fully.  Let  us  go  into  the  open 
air;  it  will  do  me  good.  Where  is  my  overcoat?  And 
now  come,  but  before  we  go,  tell  me  what  has  become 
of  Sebastian?" 

Brandon  informed  him  that  the  poor  fellow  was  in 
the  next  room,  refusing  to  be  comforted  on  seeing  the 
grief  of  his  master. 

"  This  will  not  do,"  said  Carew,  stepping  into  the 
room.  "  See,  Sebastian,  I  am  all  right ;  now  go  to  bed 
like  a  good  fellow,  for  it  is  late." 

The  affectionate  and  obedient  servant  at  once  obeyed ; 
and  went  sorrowfully  to  his  own  room,  in  another  part 
of  the  hotel. 

Carew  and  his  friend  then  went  out,  and  on  reaching 
Princes  street,  turned  into  and  followed  it  in  silence, 
until  they  came  to  one  of  the  bridges  spanning  the 
beautiful  ravine  which  divides  the  city  in  two.  To 
this  they  directed  their  steps,  and  on  getting  about 
midway,  halted  to  view  the  scene. 

It  was  a  beautiful,  clear,  moonlight  night,  serene  and 
cold.  The  stars  twinkled  with  unblinking  rays  through 
the  frosty  air.  The  old  castle  stood  frowning  in  the 
distance,  clearly  outlined  against  the  sk}^  and  standing, 
as  it  were,  over  the  sleeping  town  like  a  gigantic  senti- 
nel at  his  post.  Beneath,  through  the  foliage  with 
which  the  ravine  had  been  beautified,  glimmered  the 
lamps  of  the  engines  on  the  railways,  which  entered  at 
this  spot,  moving  slowly  to  and  fro,  like  so  many  glow- 
worms. 

"  How  peaceful  is  this  scene,"  exclaimed  our  hero, 


THE     EAKL     OF    MAYFIELD.  261 

after  a  long  silence.  "  To  look  around  on  this  quiet 
cit}',  one  might  easily  be  led  to  believe  that  no  cares,  no 
anxieties  for  the  morrow,  no  sickness  and  death  ever 
entered  this  charmed  spot  —  so  calm  and  serene  is  the 
hour." 

"  It  is  indeed  difficult  to  realize,"  answered  Brandon, 
"  that  this  fair  city  has  been,  or  ever  can  be  again  filled 
with  strife ;  yet  so  it  has  been  and  so  it  will,  doubtless, 
be  again,  for  man  is  a  contentious  being.  At  certain 
periods,  nothing  short  of  blood  will  satisfy  or  quench 
liis  fierce  passions." 

"Doubtless,"  said  Carew,  "these  fair  islands  will 
again  be  drenched  in  blood;  for  history- but  repeats 
itself,  and  human  nature  is  ever  the  same.  There  is  a 
superficial  gloss  over  our  so-called  modern  civilization, 
but  it  is  only  a  thin  veneer;  the  tiger's  claws  are 
beneath,  and  liable  to  break  through  at  any  moment,  to 
rend  the  earth  as  savagely  as  in  the  olden  days. 

"  I  hope  however,  that  it  will  not  be  in  my  day  that 
England  Avill  suffer.  I  like  to  think  there  is  one  peace- 
ful spot  in  the  world  where  one  can  retire  to  meditation 
and  repose,  secure  from  all  contentions  and  mundane 
troubles." 

"  Ah,  Carew,"  exclaimed  the  other,  "  there  is  but  one 
way  of  obtaining  what  you  desire.  That  peace  which 
passeth  all  understanding  is  to  be  found  in  this  world  it 
is  true,  but  that  it  is  to  be  found  in  one  place  only,  is 
true  also."  ' 

"You  speak  in  riddles;  what  do  you  mean?" 

"I  mean,  my  dear  friend,  Avhat  I  say,"  answered 
Brandon.     "  What  you  seek  is  to  be  found  only  in  the 


262  THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD. 

bosom  of  the  true  church — that  pure  and  holy  one, 
without  spot  or  wrinkle  or  any  such  thing." 

"  What  ?  "  cried  Carew,  suddenly  grasping  the  soli- 
tary arm  of  Brandon.  "  Is  it  possible  you  can  mean 
the  Catholic  church  ?     Are  you  a  Catholic  ?  " 

"  I  am  indeed  an  unworthy  member  of  that  holy 
communion,"  answered  Brandon  gravely. 

"  I  am  astounded,"  muttered  Carew,  half  aloud. 

"Why  are  you  astounded?"  asked  Brandon.  "Does 
it  surprise  you  to  learn  that  a  church  which  counts 
witliin  its  folds  two  hundred  millions  of  souls,  should 
embrace  a  poor  sinner,  who  is  also  your  friend?" 

"  You  are  altogether  wrong,"  answered  Carew.  "  I 
was  struck  by  the  remarkable  coincidence  of  two  of  my 
nearest  and  dearest  friends  being  Catholics.  Poor 
Boiseau  was  also  a  member  of  your  church,  and  strange 
to  sa}',  he  expressed  one  day  a  most  fervent  wish  that  I 
should  also  become  a  member.  I  have  sometimes  heard 
that  every  Catholic  is  a  missionary.     Is  this  the  case?" 

"No,"  answered  Brandon,  "it  is  not  true.  We  do 
not  seek  proselytes ;  but  on  the  other  hand,  neither  do 
we  neglect  any  opportunity  of  placing  the  Truth  before 
our  hearers.  If  the  seed  thus  sown  falls  upon  good 
ground  and  produces  fair  fruit,  well  and  good ;  we  are 
thankful." 

"  Bravely  answered,  and  to  the  point ;  but  tell  me, 
Brandon,  how  came  you  to  be  a  Catholic  ?  I  always 
thought  you  rather  lax  in  your  religious  ideas." 

"  So  I  was,  until  I  was  wounded,  taken  to  a  hospital, 
my  arm  amputated,  and  I  was  nursed  hj  a  sister  of 
charity.     Sh*e  and  other  angels  in  human  form  like  her, 


THE     EAILL     OF    MAYFIELD.  263 

converted  me.  I  then  began  to  consider  the  subject, 
and  to  think  that  the  church  which  could  bring  forth 
such  beings,  to  do  and  to  suffer  for  good  and  the  right, 
not  only  to  the  exclusion  of  self,  bat  to  complete  immo- 
lation, must  have  something  to  recommend  it. 

"  The  rest  was  easy ;  for  an}^  calm,  unprejudiced 
mind  to  examine  the  church,  is  to  embrace  it.  This 
follows  as  a  logical  sequence,  and  is  a  mere  matter  of 
time,  aided  of  course,  by  the  grace  of  God." 

''  This  is  all  very  fine,"  replied  Carew,  "  but  it  is  not 
argument.  Facts  are  stubborn  things,  Brandon.  How 
did  you  get  over  modern  miracles,  image  worship,  Mari- 
olatry  and  the  Confessional?" 

"  By  simple  faith,"  answered  Brandon.  " '  Unless  you 
become  as  one  of  these  little  children  ye  cannot  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  heaven ; '  but  a  truce  to  this  discus- 
sion, Carew,  for  the  present.  You  know  the  old  adage, 
of  a  man  persuaded  against  his  will  being  of  the  same 
opinion  still.  Well,  to  apply  this  to  you,  do  not  take 
offence  at  what  I  am  about  to  say,  for  you  know  how  I 
love  and  esteem  you ;  but  I  must  say  that  you  are  not 
now  in  the  proper  mood  to  investigate  or  discuss  so 
serious  a  subject  as  religion ;  let  us  therefore  adjourn  it." 

Carew  was  silent  for  some  minutes,  and  then  said : 

"  I  think  I  understand  yon.  You  mean  that  just  at 
this  moment,  my  heart  is  sore  and  somewhat  rebellious 
against  fate ;  that  I  f6el  myself  hardly  dealt  with,  and 
am  not  resigned,  as  a  Christian  should  be  ?  " 

"  You  have  expressed  my  idea  exactly,"  said  Brandon. 

"  Then  you  are  right.  Let  us  go  home,  it  is  late," 
replied  our  hero. 


264  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 

SOLICITOR     AND     CLIENT. 

CI  ARE  W  and  liis  secretary  spent  nearly  the  whole 
'  of  the  da}^  following  the  events  recorded  in  our 
last  chapter,  in  writing  letters  home ;  among  these  was 
one  to  Boiseau's  widow,  offering  all  the  sympathy 
which  could  possibly  be  expressed  for  her  loss,  and  this 
was  not  much  after  all,  for  time  only  can  assuage  such 
a  wound. 

Randolph  was  written  to,  and  a  letter  was  also  dis- 
patched to  Whitefield,  appointing  him  as  agent  to  fill 
Boiseau's  place  with  relation  to  Carew's  affairs.  Late 
in  the  afternoon  the  two  friends  found  time  to  drive  to 
the  foot  of  Salisbury  crags,  they  made  the  ascent  from 
thence  to  Arthui^'s  seat,  and  there  at  an  elevation  of 
eight  hundred  feet,  had  a  most  superb  view  of  the 
Scottish  capital,  bathed  in  the  golden  beams  of  a  clear, 
frosty,  sunset.  So  pure  was  the  atmosphere,  that  they 
could  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  isle  of  M^y,  lying  some 
miles  distant,  at  the  entrance  to  the  Frith  of  Forth. 

"  I  am  agreeably  disappointed,"  remarked  Brandon, 
after  gazing  around  for  a  while.  "  In  the  climate  of 
Scotland,  I  expected  to  find  nothing  but  cold  and 
mist." 

"  That  is  the  popular  idea  entertained  in  America  as 
to  the  British  climate,  but  it  is  erroneous,"  answered 
his  friend.     "Later  in  the  season  there  is,  of  course, 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  265 

much  bad  weather,  and  when  it  is  bad,  to  use  a  poor 
but  expressive  phrase,  it  is  very  bad. 

'^Even  the  rains  in  these  islands,  especially  in  Ire- 
land, are  mild  and  sometimes  almost  tepid,  tempered  as 
they  are  by  the  benign  influences  of  our  own  Gulf 
Stream.  Maury  says,  that  pieces  of  drift  wood  from  the 
Mississippi  river  are  frequently  found  on  the  western 
shores  of  Ireland,  thus  showing  that  a  steady  current 
sets  in  this  direction  from  America." 

"  But,  to  return  to  our  present  locality,"  continued 
Carew.  "  Tliis  vicinity  is  most  interesting  from  the 
circumstance  of  its  being  the  chosen  haunt  of  the 
youths  and  maidens  of  Edinburg.  Here  many  a  true 
love  knot  has  been  tied,  and  also  is  it  even  more  inter- 
esting on  account  of  having  been  a  favorite  resort  of 
Sir  Walter  Scott. 

''Yonder  lies  the  cottage  once  said  to  have  been 
occupied  by  Jeanie  Deans,  and  on  these  crags,  her 
unfortunate  sister  met  her  lover.  Though  I  suppose 
you  are  aware  that  the  whole  story  is  a  fiction.  No 
such  persons  as  the  Deans  ever  existed." 

"No,  I  Avasnot  aware  of  it,"  replied  Brandon,  much 
surprised.     "I  thought  it  was  an  historical  fact." 

"But  look  at  the  Castle!"  cried  he  suddenly,  and 
forgetting  Jeanie  Deans,  as  his  eyes  caught  the  grand 
picture  presented  in  the  west,  as  the  departing  lumi- 
nary shot  forth  and  concentrated,  as  it  were,  the  whole 
of  his  remaining  beams  upon  the  huge  pile,  outlining 
Its  turrets  and  battlements  in  a  sea  of  golden  fire.  At 
this  instant  the  evening  gun  was  fired  from  the  walls, 
and  the  faint  smoke  rising  like  a  veil,  enveloped  the 


266  THE    EAPwL    OF    MAY  FIELD, 

blood-red  ensign  of  England,  which  slowly  descended 
in  graceful  folds,  as  if  obeying  the  last  behest  of  the 
God  of  day. 

The  enchanting  twilight  of  these  northern  latitudes 
now  began  to  hold  its  reign,  and  in  the  witching  gloam- 
ing, the  friends  slowly  descended  the  hill  and  went 
home,  silent,  touched  and  softened  under  the  influence 
of  the  hour. 

They  soon  parted,  with  the  understanding  that  they 
would  take  an  early  breakfast,  and  then,  hie  them  up 
to  famous  London  town. 

Our  hero,  with  his  followers,  accordingly  took  the 
express  for  the  metropolis,  where  they  arrived  in  the 
evening,  having  noticed  nothing  particularly  worthy  of 
record  on  the  wa}',  except  the  superior  cultivation  of 
England,  with  its  peculiar  air  of  calm,  peaceful,  civiliza- 
tion, evidenced  in  a  thousand  small  matters,  not  the 
least  among  which  was  the  softened  beauty  of  the 
w^omen,  and  the  absence  of  the  harsh  Scotch  accent  in 
the  men. 

His  secretary  having  expressed  a  particular  desire  to 
thoroughly  explore  Westminster  Abbe}^  Carew  selected 
the  Westminster  Palace  Hotel  for  their  abode  while  in 
London,  it  being  but  a  stone's  throw  from  that  venerable 
monument  of  antiquity.  Here  they  spent  the  evening 
in  doors,  examining  and  arranging  the  family  papers 
and  records,  necessary  to  establish  Carew's  identity, 
and  which  he  proposed  to  lay  before  the  solicitor  in  the 
morning. 

Our  hero,  therefore,  deposited  himself  in  a  cab  and 
proceeded,  after  a  somewhat  late  breakfast,  to  No.  13 


THE    EARL    OF    MAY  FIELD.  267 

Leadenhall  street,  the  office  of  Mr.  Goldsmith.  It  was 
a  long  drive  of  nearly  three  miles  down  the  Strand 
under  Temple  Bar,  past  St.  Paul's,  then  came  the  Bank,' 
and  shortly  after  the  lumbering  vehicle  halted  and  the 
driver  was  dismissed,  humbly  touching  his  cap  in 
acknowledgment  of  the  double  fare  tendered  by  his 
passenger.  Carew  paused  before  entering  the  passage, 
to  look  for  the  name  of  the  solicitor,  then  finding, 
among  a  dozen  or  more  inscriptions,  the  sign  indicating 
that  Mr.  Goldsmith's  apartments  were  on  the  second 
floor,  he  ascended  two  flights  of  narrow,  dark  and 
dingy  stairs,  the  appearance  of  which  by  no  means 
impressed  him  with  an  idea  of  worldly  prosperity  on 
the  part  of  his  correspondent. 

He  was  oppressed  by  a  peculiar  feeling  of  doubt  and 
uncertainty  as  he  arrived  breathless,  at  the  landing, ' 
opposite  to  which  was  a  dirty  glass  door  with  the  name 
"Robert  Goldsmith,"  painted  on  the  pane  in  large 
black  letters.  He  felt  for  a  moment  like  returning  and 
abandoning  the  enterprise;  a  sense  of  isolation  in  a 
strange  land  almost  overpowered  him,  accompanied  by 
an  intense  longing  for  his  distant  liome  in  Louisiana, 
and  a  hearty  regret  for  having  left  it. 

"What,"  muttered  he,  "will  all  these  titles  be 
worth  to  me.  Should  I  be  successful,  I  will  have  to  • 
take  up  my  abode  here,  among  people  foreign  to  my 
M'hole  habits  of  thought  and  life.  My  ambition  may  be 
gratified,  but  at  the  loss  of  friends  who  can  never  be 
replaced." 

Just  then  the  door  opened,  and  a  man  stepped  out  of 
the  room. 


268  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  Too  late,"  thought  our  hero.  "  The  die  is  cast,  1 
must  cross  this  Rubicon,"  addressing  the  stranger,  he 
asked  for  Mr.  Goldsmith. 

"  I  am  Mr.  Goldsmith,"  replied  the  person  shortly. 

To  this  Carew  responded  with  equal  brevity.  "  And 
I  am  Thomas  Carew." 

An  instant  change  came  over  the  man,  who  had  pre- 
viously seemed  rude,  but  now  dropped  his  voice  into 
a  mild  and  almost  obsequious  tone  as  he  said  hurriedly : 
"  Mr.  Thomas  Carew,  from  America !     Is  it  possible  ?  " 

Without  waiting  to  hear  the  reply,  he  pushed  the 
door  open  again  and,  bowing  low,  invited  his  visitor  to 
enter,  himself  following  and  carefully  securing  the  door 
against  intrusion. 

"  Sir,"  said  he,  "  have  the  kindness  to  be  seated.  I 
am  indeed  highly  honored  by  this  prompt  attention  to 
my  letter." 

Our  hero  took  the  proffered  chair ;  Mr.  Goldsmith 
having  also  seated  himself,  continued :  "  You  have 
come  to  England  upon  a  most  important  mission,  Mr. 
Carew;  or,  my  lord,  as  I  hope  will  soon  be  your 
address." 

"  There  is  time  enough  for  that  formality  Mr.  Gold- 
smith, Avhen  I  have  secured  the  right  to  it ;  and  now, 
let  us  proceed  at  once  to  business.  In  response  to  3-our 
letter,  I  am  here.  I  have  brought  with  me  a  number 
of  documents,  setting  forth  my  claim  to  be  the  grand- 
son of  Charles  Carew,  who  w^as  the  last  Earl  of  ^lay- 
field.  Here  they  are,"  continued  he,  handing  a  good 
sized  package  to  the  solicitor  ;  "  among  these  papers 
you  will  find  certificates  of  my  father's  marriage,  of 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  269 

his  death,  and  also  a  certificate  of  my  birth ;  added  to 
which,  you  will  find  several  depositions  of  prominent 
citizens  of  Louisiana,  taken  before  the  proper  officers, 
showing  myself  to  be  the  sole  heir  of  my  father." 

The  solicitor  bowed  and  begging  a  short  interval, 
during  which  he  might  examine  these  papers,  drew  his 
chair  to  the  window,  put  on  his  glasses  and,  without 
more  ado,  proceeded  to  look  over  the  package. 

"  He  is  evidently  a  shrewd  man  of  business,  dingy  as 
is  his  office,"  thought  Carew,  pleased  at  the  promptitude 
with  which  the  solicitor  had  set  to  work.  Meanwhile 
he  looked  curiously  at  Mr.  Goldsmith,  as  he  pored 
over  the  papers.  He  was  a  strongly-built,  dark  man 
of  more  than  fifty  years  certainly,  but  beyond  this 
point  his  visitor  could  not  venture  in  guessing  at  his 
age ;  fifty  he  was  beyond  a  doubt,  and  as  the  novelists 
say,  he  might  have  been  sixty.  At  all  events  he  was  a 
clean,  wholesome-looking  Englishman,  who  did  not  at 
all  resemble  an  impostor ;  his  face  too,  though  careworn, 
had  a  kindly  expression  most  pleasant  to  look  upon. 
He  was  neatly  dressed  in  a  dark  tweed  suit,  albeit  it 
was  somewhat  threadbare,  and  on  a  pin  stuck  in  the 
wall,  hung  his  silk  hat,  carefully  brushed,  showing  him 
to  be  methodical  in  his  habits. 

Our  hero  now  directed  his  attention  to  the  apart- 
ment, which  was  quite  large,  light  and  cheerful,  not- 
withstanding its  general  air  of  dinginess ;  there  was  a 
cheerful  fire  in  the  capacious  grate,  throwing  a  ruddy, 
comfortable  glow  on  the  shelves,  covering  every  vacant 
space  between  the  doors  and  crowded  with  books, 
reaching  more  than  half  way  to  the  ceiling;  under  these 


270  THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

were  a  number  of  large  tin  boxes,  almost  as  large  as 
small  trunks,  each  with  a  brass  padlock,  and  apparently 
filled  with  papers ;  in  this  conjecture  Carew  was  soon 
confirmed,  for  Mr.  Goldsmith  soon  rose  and  proceeding 
to  one  of  them,  unlocked  and  opened  it,  showing  it  to 
be  nearly  two-thirds  full  of  old  deeds,  many  of  which 
were  on  vellum. 

"  These  papers,  ^Ir.  Carew,"  said  the  solicitor,  point- 
ing to  the  box,  "are  all  connected  with  your  family  and 
are  both  valuable  and  interesting ;  but,"  continued  he 
wdth  a  smile,  "before  I  can  show  them  to  you,  or  pro- 
ceed farther  in  this  matter,  I  must  be  satisfied  that  you 
are  Thomas  Carew,  because — pardon  me  for  saying  so, 
but  it  is  business,  you  know,  and  we  must  be  cautious — 
because  you  may  —  " 

"  I  fully  understand  you  sir,"  said  our  hero  interrupt- 
ing him.  "  I  will  simply  refer  you  to  my  bankers,  the 
Messrs.  Baring  Brothers,  if  you  will  accompany  me,  we 
can  take  a  cab  and  go  there  at  once,  you  are  quite 
right,  I  owe  you  an  apology  for  not  having  thought  of 
this  before." 

"  Do  not  mention  it,  Mr.  Carew,"  replied  the  other. 
"  I  am  fully  satisfied  that,  in  this  instance,  it  is  a  mere 
matter  of  form,  still  it  is  necessary,  and  I  will  go  with 
you  immediately."  While  speaking  he  closed  the  tin 
box,  returned  to  Carew  his  own  package  of  papers, 
neatly  tied  up,  and  then  opening  a  door  which  commu- 
nicated with  an  adjoining  room,  called  to  some  one, 
saying  he  must  look  after  the  office  as  he  would  be 
absent  for  some  time. 

Hearing  this,  Carew  told  him  he  had  better  say  he 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  271 

would  be  away  until  after  dinner,  as  he  meant  to  take 
him  to  the  hotel,  after  they  had  called  on  his  bankers. 
Mr.  Goldsmith  assented  with  a  gratified  smile  and  in- 
structing the  unknown  person  accordingly,  he  followed 
our  hero  down  stairs;  they  procured  a  cab  and  were 
driven  to  the  offices  of  Baring  Brothers,  where  Carew 
was  at  once  identified  to  the  satisfaction  of  Mr.  Gold- 
smith, who  was  also,  in  his  turn,  certified  to,  by  one  of 
the  members  of  the  firm,  who  had  known  the  solicitor 
for  years  and  had  had  business  relations  with  him ;  all 
of  which  being  settled,  the  two  gentlemen  then  betook 
themselves  to  Carew's  hotel,  where  Goldsmith  was  in- 
troduced to  Brandon.  After  a  pleasant  dinner,  and 
when  they  had  retired  to  a  quiet  corner  of  the  coffee 
room,  Carew  expressed  a  desire  to  learn  how  the  solici- 
tor had  become  acquainted  with,  and  interested  in  his 
family  affairs. 

Mr.  Goldsmith  readily  acquiescing  in  this  reasonable 
wish,  proceeded  in  the  following  words,  to  give  the 
desired  information. 

"You  must  know,  gentlemen,  that  my  uncle,  long 
since  deceased,  was  the  legal  adviser  of  the  last  Earl  of 
Mayfield.  I  studied  my  profession  in  his  office,  and  at 
his  death,  (the  good  man  was  childless)  I  succeeded  to 
his  business,  thus  falling  heir  to  all  of  the  books  and 
papers  you  saw,"  addressing  Carew,  "  in  my  office  to- 
day. I  also  received  a  little  property  from  the  old 
gentleman,  who  was  invariably  kind  and  considerate  to 
me,  the  only  child  of  his  dead  brother,  but  these  details 
possess  no  interest  for  you,  gentlemen,  pardon  me  for 
the  digression ;  to  return, 


272  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  My  uncle  had  often  spoken  to  me  of  the  late  earl, 
to  whom  he  was  warmly  attached.  He  deeply  lamented 
the  slow,  but  sure  decay  which  had  attended  the  for- 
tunes of  his  noble  friend.  Lord  Mayfield  had  inherited 
a  fair  patrimony,  and  with  prudence  could  have  main- 
tained his  dignity,  and  have  had  a  small  surplus  income 
every  year.  He  was  however,  a  very  proud  man  and 
desired  to  make  a  display  worthy  of  his  ancient  lineage ; 
he  accordingly  made  the  attempt,  and  was  drawn 
beyond  his  depths,  almost  before  he  was  aware  of  the 
inroads  made  upon  his  fortune,  by  expenditures  beyond 
his  income  on  the  one  hand,  while  on  the  other,  his 
capital  was  being  diminished  by  repeated  sales  of  small 
parcels  of  land:  thus  he  was  consumed  at  both  ends. 
He  then  unfortunately  got  into  habits  of  dissipation,  to 
drown  care,  as  he  would  say  to  my  uncle.  This  soon 
made  an  end  of  him.  To  be  brief,  he  died  at  Mayfield, 
and  was  there  interred  by  the  side  of  his  amiable  wife 
who  had  died  several  years  before. 

"  There  were  several  children,  of  whom  little  need  be 
said,  except  with  reference  to  your  father,  Mr.  Carew ; 
he  was  the  eldest,  a  lad  of  great  promise.  I  remember 
him  well,  though  then  quite  young  myself.  At  that  time 
he  was  very  much  disturbed  at  the  course  of  affairs  with 
his  unhappy  fatlier.  He  was  a  precocious  boy,  remark- 
ably steady,  and  very  reticent;  he  rarely  played  with 
other  children.  He  was  very  fond  of  my  uncle,  and  let 
him  into  the  secret  of  his  intended  departure  (as  I 
found  out  long  after)  for  America,  there  to  carve  out 
new  fortunes  and  to  return  home  and  assume  his  proper 
rank.  In  order  not  to  wear}^  you  with  unnecessary  details 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  273 

at  the  present  moment,  I  will  confine  myself  to  saying, 
that  young  Lord  Carew  disappeared,  no  one  knew 
whither,  except  my  uncle,  and  even  he  did  not  possess 
the  young  man's  address, —  for  Carew  did  not  yet  know 
where  he  would  settle  in  America,  but  promised  to 
write  as  soon  as  he  got  over  there ;  this  however  he 
never  did,  for  reasons  best  known  to  himself. 

"It  is  most  likely  that  he  was  fearful  lest  the  ancient 
friendship  —  now  long  since  cooled  —  between  the  old 
earl  and  my  uncle  might  be  renewed,  and  his  place  of 
refuge  be  thus  discovered.  He  was  still  a  minor  and 
might  have  been  sought  for  by  his  father,  who,  when 
roused  into  action,  was  very  vindictive,  and  he  was 
much  incensed  against  his  son  for  his  undutiful  conduct. 

"  The  whole  affair  proved  most  unfortunate  in  its  con- 
sequences ;  the  other  son,  Michael,  soon  after  the  depar- 
ture of  Thomas,  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  a  horse.  The 
next  disaster  was  my  uncle's  sickness  followed  by  his 
death.  During  that  illness,  he  confided  to  me  the 
secret  motive  of  young  Carew's  departure,  but  could 
not  give  his  address,  for  he  had  never  heard  a  word 
from  the  young  man  since  he  parted  from  him  at  the 
station,  whither  he  had  gone  to  see  him  off. 

"Lord  Mayfield  lingered  for  two  years  after  this, 
drinking  deeply ;  with  the  usual  consequences  of  such 
a  course  of  life,  his  mind  became  affected  and  he  was 
rendered  incapable  of  attending  to  business.  While  in 
this  lamentable  condition,  his  creditors  seized  the  occa- 
sion to  foreclose  their  mortgages,  now  past  due  with 
arrearages  of  interest,  and  were  put  in  possession.  They 
however  allowed  the  old  man  to  continue  to  occupy  the 
17 


274  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

palace,  with  a  few  old  domestics,  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1820,  on  September  the  20th. 
Thus  did  the  noble  line  of  this  ancient  house  become 
extinct  to  all  appearance,  for  young  Carew  had  died 
out  of  men's  minds,  and  was  forgotten  by  all  except 
myself. 

"  I  often  thought  with  lingering  regret  of  the  bright 
boy  who  had  frequently  been  my  playmate.  I  could 
scarcely  believe  him  dead,  and  at  intervals  of  about  a 
year  each,  would  insert  an  advertisement,  similar  to  that 
which  finally  caught  your  eye,  sir." 

"Not  my  eye,"  interposed  Carew,  "but  that  of  my 
friend  Brandon,  who  kindly  sent  it  to  me." 

"I  read  it  while  at  my  father's  house  in  South  Caro- 
lina," said  Brandon.  "  He  is  an  Englishman,  though 
resident  for  many  years  in  America,  and  is  still  in  the 
habit  of  receiving  English  papers ;  thus  I  happened  to 
see  this  notice,  and  thought  it  might  prove  of  interest 
to  Mr.  Carew." 

"  It  has  indeed  been  most  fortunate,"  said  Gold- 
smith. 

Brandon  continued:  "I  cannot  understand,  Carew, 
why  your  father  did  not  assume  his  titles,  because  he 
must  have  known  of  the  old  earl's  death;  you  have 
that  statement  made  in  the  copy  of  Debrett's  Peerage, 
which  we  consulted,  and  which  was  among  your  father's 
books ! " 

Carew,  after  some  reflection,  replied:  "I  can  only 
account  for  this  failure  to  act  on  his  part  on  the  suppo- 
sition that  he  had  only  recently  become  possessed  of 
this  copy  of  the  peerage.     He  probably  sent  for  it  in 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  275 

order  to  ascertain  whether  his  father  was  still  alive,  and 
afterwards,  you  will  remember,  he  himself  died  very 
suddenly." 

"  I  cannot  help  believing,"  he  continued,  "  that  he 
must  have  written  to  either  his  father,  the  earl,  or  to 
your  uncle,  Mr.  Goldsmith;  it  seems  incredible  that  a 
man  of  his  genial  disposition  would  have  thrown  his 
early  youth  and  associations  entirely  away  ! " 

"  He  might,  indeed,  have  written  to  the  earl  and  not 
have  received  an  answer,  for  in  the  old  gentleman's 
condition  it  is  quite  likely  he  would  not  even  have 
taken  the  trouble  to  open  a  letter,"  remarked  the  solic- 
itor, adding  —  "  I  do  not  think  your  father  could  have 
written  to  my  uncle ;  I  should  have  either  heard  of  it 
during  my  uncle's  life,  and  if  he  had  written  at  a  later 
period  I  would  have  received  it  myself." 

Then  ensued  a  pause  of  some  duration,  during  which 
each  gentleman  was  buried  in  his  own  reflections. 
Carew  at  last  inquired  as  to  the  course  Mr.  Goldsmith 
proposed  pursuing  ? 

That  gentleman  replied  to  the  effect  that  he  had  not 
yet  determined  upon  the  precise  course,  but  thought  he 
would  lay  the  matter,  in  the  first  instance,  before  the 
Home  Secretary,  who  was  his  personal  friend;  the 
latter  would  probably  put  it  in  the  hands  of  the  Pre- 
mier, by  whom  it  would  be  referred  to  the  House 
of  Lords;  this  body  would  then  appoint  a  committee 
to  examine  the  subject,  and  as  their  report  was  favora- 
ble or  unfavorable,  so  would  the  House  be  likely  to 
decide. 

"  And  is  there  no  appeal  from  their  decision,  should 
it  pro ve  adverse  ?  "  asked  Brandon. 


276  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"None  whatever,"  replied  the  solicitor;  "for,  aside 
from  being  the  highest  court  of  justice  in  the  empire, 
the  House  of  Lords  is  also  judge  of  the  qualifications 
of  its  own  members.  Mr.  Carew,  you  are  aware,  would 
become,  in  the  event  of  success,  a  permanent  member 
of  that  august  body." 

It  was  now  late,  and  after  some  desultory  conversa- 
tion, not  pertinent  to  our  story,  the  solicitor  took  his 
departure,  having  first  made  an  engagement  to  be  at 
his  rooms  at  noon  of  the  next  day  to  receive  his  new 
client. 


THE    EAKL    OF    MAYFIELD.  277 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

LONDON     BRIDGE. 

OUR  hero  and  his  secretary  arose  betimes  on  the 
next  morning,  and  after  breakfast,  found  they 
still  had  two  full  hours  to  spare  before  calling  upon 
Mr.  Goldsmith. 

Carew  looked  out  and  seeing  it  was  a  fine,  frosty  day, 
proposed  walking  to  the  solicitor's  office,  as  this  would 
give  them,  at  the  same  time,  exercise,  and  a  good  view 
of  the  modern  Babylon  and  its  inhabitants.  They 
therefore  set  out  at  once  and  came  first  to  the  Abbey 
and  Houses  of  Parliament.  They  did  not  enter  either. 
Brandon  had,  however,  spent  the  time  occupied  on  the 
previous  day  by  Carew  with  Goldsmith,  in  exploring 
the  former.  The  friends  continued  on  their  way,  pass- 
ing Whitehall.  Carew  pointed  out  the  oldest  portion 
remarking  that  out  of  one  of  those  windows,  the  unfor- 
tunate Charles  stepped  to  the  scaffold  on  the  morning 
of  his  execution. 

"  Every  inch  of  London,"  said  Brandon,  "  is  rich  in 
historical  associations.  I  am  lost  in  wonder  and  admira- 
tion." 

"  To  my  mind,"  answered  his  friend,  '^  London  is, 
next  to  Rome,  the  most  interesting  city  in  the  world, 
as  it  certainly  is  the  greatest  and  most  wealthy.  Here 
is  the  seat  of  the  government,  whence  the  most  power- 
ful of  modern  empires  is  ruled  —  an  empire  greater  in 


278  THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

extent  and  more  populous  than  was  that  of  ancient 
Rome." 

"  Doubtless  it  is  more  interesting  to  us,  the  descend- 
ants of  the  same  race,  than  to  other  peoples,"  remarked 
Brandon. 

By  this  time  the}^  had  reached  Charing  Cross,  on  the 
right,  and  Trafalgar  Square,  on  the  left;  pausing  a  short 
time  to  admire  the  curious  and  rich  traceries  of  the 
former,  and  to  examine  Nelson's  monument,  with 
Landseer's  lions,  in  the  Square,  they  proceeded  past 
the  National  Gallery.  On  seeing  this  latter,  Brandon 
exclaimed : 

"  Poor  America  will  never  be  able  to  compete  with 
Europe  in  its  art  galleries;  the  latter  is  too  far  in 
advance  in  the  race,  and  has  secured  for  its  exclusive 
possession,  all  the  famous  masterpieces  of  ancient 
times." 

"  Grieve  not  on  this  account,"  responded  Carew ; 
''each  age  has  its  hour  and  its  uses.  There  will  yet 
rise  up  a  modern  school  of  art,  which  will  fully  equal  if 
not  excel  the  old  masters,  and  in  these  new  produc- 
tions of  the  pencil  and  chisel,  America  will  have  its 
share." 

"I  trust  your  prophecy  may  prove  true,  for  our 
present  position  in  this  respect  is  humiliating,"  said 
Brandon.     "  But  where  are  we  now  ?  " 

"We  are  now  on  the  Strand,  one  of  the  principal 
streets,"  replied  Carew.  "We  are  rapidly  nearing 
Temple  Bar,  the  ancient  boundary  of  London.  See 
where  it  crosses  the  way,  apparently  blocking  our 
further  progress.     I  fear  very  much  lest  the  spirit  of 


THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  279 

modern  commerce  may  require  its  demolition  before 
long." 

By  the  time  he  had  ceased  speaking,  they  reached 
the  venerable  structure  with  its  three  arches ;  but  as  it 
was  getting  late,  they  did  not  halt  either  to  examine  it 
or  the  Temple  gardens,  hard  by.  As  they  passed 
through  one  of  the  side  arches,  Brandon  said : 

"  Are  we  not  now  within  the  City,  as  it  is  called  ?  " 

"  You  are  right,"  answered  the  other.  "  Every  step 
we  now  take  is  hallowed  by  the  countless  number  of 
great  men  —  and  women  too,  for  that  matter  —  who 
have  gone  before  us ;  beginning,  I  may  say,  with 
mighty  Csesar ;  following  down  the  intervening  centu- 
ries, I  pass  over  thousands  of  great  but  lesser  lights, 
until  Shakespeare  comes  upon  the  scene.  Then  from 
sweet  William's  day  —  I  will  not  pretend  to  name 
others  —  we  come  to  our  own  time,  where  we  may 
presume  to  mention  in  the  long  list  of  GOOD  and  there- 
fore great  men,  the  name  of  George  Peabody." 

"  Yes ! "  cried  Brandon,  highly  pleased  at  this  allu- 
sion, for  he  was  ardently  attached  to  his  own  country, 
"he  was  not  only  an  American,  but  was  too  proud  of 
his  native  country  to  give  it  up." 

"  Such  men  as  Peabody,"  continued  Carew,  unheed- 
ing the  interruption, — "  rare  in  any  age,  are  ornaments 
to  their  native  country.  You  need  not  fear  for  the 
men  of  America.  The  government  may  prove  —  I 
believe  it  will  —  a  failure;  it  is  already  much  weak- 
ened and  corrupted,  although  scarcely  a  century  old, 
but  the  ijeojyle  are  all  right  —  their  genius  and  enter- 
prise will  carry  them  successfully  forward,  in  spite  of 
the,  so-called,  government." 


280  THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

"I  am  rejoiced  to  hear  you  say  so,  Carew,"  said 
Brandon,  "for  I  have  often  thought  that  you  looked 
upon  everything  American  with  ill-concealed  contempt." 

"In  common  with  others,"  replied  our  hero,  "you  are 
mistaken.  It  is  not  the  people,  but  the  institutions  of 
America  for  which  I  feel  contempt.  I  am  a  monarchist, 
and  do  not  believe  in  the  unqualified  '  liberty,'  as  it  is 
called,  of  the  people.  Liberty  in  America  has  degene- 
rated into  license." 

"Well,  well,"  said  Brandon  with,  a  sigh,  evidently 
unwilling  to  pursue  the  subject,  "  you  may  be  right.  I 
have  sometimes  felt  misgivings  myself,  as  to  the  future 
of  our  country;  but  pardon  me  for  changing  the  subject. 
You  know  how  much  I  am  interested  in  everything 
around  us.  Please  inform  me  what  that  building  is 
used  for,  it  is  such  a  peculiar  structure,"  continued  he, 
indicating  with  his  finger  the  building  in  question. 

"  That  building,"  answered  Carew,  "is  the  Bank." 

"  What !  the  famous  old  lady  of  Threadneedle 
street?" 

"  The  very  same,"  said  Carew,  looking  at  his  watch. 
"  We  still  have  a  few  minutes  to  spare ;  let  us  enter." 
Thus  saj^ing,  he  led  the  way. 

After  walking  around  the  public  portions  of  the 
Bank,  they  re-entered  the  street.  Brandon  said  little, 
but  seemed  rather  disappointed  at  the  plain,  even  dingy, 
appearance  of  the  interior,  and  also  at  the  absence  of 
the  crowd  and  bustle  he  had  expected  to  witness. 

Their  time  was  now  nearly  exhausted,  and  they  still 
had  a  short  distance  to  go.  Without  stopping  again, 
they  walked  briskly  on  and  soon  found  themselves  in 
Mr.  Goldsmith's  office. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  281 

That  gentleman  was  busily  occupied  with  a  person 
who  appeared  to  be  his  clerk,  in  looking  over  and 
signing  a  number  of  legal -looking  documents,  which 
this  functionary  placed  under  his  hand.  Begging  his 
visitors  to  be  seated,  he  excused  himself  for  a  few 
moments  and  pursued  his  labors. 

"  Now,"  said  he  after  a  time,  "  I  am  through,  you  can 
retire,  James ;  but  stay  —  bring  me  the  papers  in  the 
May  field  case." 

The  clerk  left  the  room,  and  soon  returned  with  the 
papers.     "Any  thing  else,  sir?" 

"No,  thanks,  James,  you  can  go  to  your  room;  I  will 
call  you  if  necessary,"  replied  his  master. 

"  Gentlemen,  I  have  prepared  a  petition  in  the  case, 
which  I  propose  to  lay  before  the  Home  Secretary  at 
once,  provided,  of  course,"  continued  he,  addressing 
Carew,  "it  meets  with  your  approval." 

"I  am  entirely  in  your  hands,  and  shall  be  guided  by 
your  advice,"  answered  our  hero. 

The  solicitor  proceeded  to  read  aloud  the  paper, 
which  as  it  was  an  exceedingly^  long-winded  one,  we 
will  not  transcribe,  lest  we  exhaust  the  patience  of  the 
reader.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  learned  gentleman 
put  in  all  the  usual  preambles  and  Avhereases  necessary 
to  enable  the  noble  lords,  who  were  to  compose  the 
committee  of  examination,  to  clearly  comprehend  the 
situation. 

When  Mr.  Goldsmith  got  through  with  the  reading 
of  this  document,  he  stated  that  if  Mr.  Carew  would 
entrust  him  with  all  the  papers  yet  remaining  in  his 
possession,   he  would   select   those   most   essential,  in 


282  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

his  own  judgment,  to  the  case,  and  annex  them  to  the 
petition.  "  And  then,"  said  he,  "  my  case  will  be  fully 
made  up.  I  am  sanguine  of  success,  and  as  Parlia- 
ment is  now  in  session,  they  will  act  at  once  on  so 
important  a  matter  as  the  reinstatement  of  a  Peer  of 
the  realm  in  his  right.  I  hope,  therefore,  to  have 
within  a  month,  the  honor  of  addressing  a  letter  to  my 
Lord  of  Mayfield  ;  "  and  the  good  old  fellow  bowed  low 
to  Carew. 

Our  hero's  face  flushed  and  his  eyes  sparkled  as  he 
drew  himself  up  with  a  feeling  of  pride  and  elation  at 
this  anticipated  termination  of  his  hopes,  for  it  had 
ever  been  in  his  opinion,  the  height  of  felicity  to  be  an 
English  noble. 

He  was  lost  for  a  few  moments  in  deep  schemes 
for  the  future,  which  were  alread}^  rapidly  revolving 
through  his  busy  brain,  when  he  caught  the  eye  of  Gold- 
smith looking  earnestly  at  him,  endeavoring  to  read  his 
inmost  thoughts.  Remembering  instantly  and  with  a 
feeling  of  compunction,  his  selfishness  —  for  were  it  not 
for  the  kind  persistency  of  this  man,  he  would  in  all 
human  probability  have  lived  and  died  a  Louisiana 
planter  —  remembering  all  this,  we  repeat,  he  sprang 
from  liis  seat  and  warmly  grasped  the  old  solicitor  by 
the  hand,  thanking  him  most  gracefully  and  fervently 
for  the  assistance  he  had  rendered,  and  vowing  he 
would  be  his  friend  to  his  dying  day. 

Mr.  Goldsmith  was  both  gratified  and  affected,  and 
promised  on  his  part  to  do  everj'thing  in  his  power  to 
forward  the  interests  of  his  present  client,  and  future 
patron  and  friend.     He  then  inquired  whether  Carew 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  283 

had  formed  any  plans  with  respect  to  Mayfield ;  adding 
that  he  believed  it  could  now  be  purchased  at  a  reason- 
able figure,  for  it  had  been  long  in  litigation  between 
the  contending  creditors  of  the  late  earl,  and  in 
consequence,  the  palace  had  fallen  into  decay,  and 
was  now,  he  was  told,  almost  in  a  state  of  ruin ;  part 
of  it  having  been  destroyed  by  fire ;  another  portion 
was  now  occupied  as  a  farm  house,  by  parties  who 
rented  the  adjoining  land  —  which  had  formerly  been 
the  park  —  from  the  assignee,  who  had  the  estate  in  his 
hands  until  the  litigation  among  the  creditors  was 
terminated. 

On  Carew's  inquiry  as  to  the  best  course  to  be  per- 
sued,  the  old  man  replied  that  he  would  first  of  all, 
recommend  his  client  to  go  down  quietl}^  and  look  at 
the  place.  After  seeing  it,  he  might  not  think  it  a 
desirable  investment,  even  though  it  had  been  the  seat 
of  his  ancesters  for  so  many  centuries. 

Our  hero  broke  in  rather  indignantly,  and  assured 
Mr.  Goldsmith  that  cost  what  it  might,  he  must  have 
Mayfield ;  nay,  he  was  anxious  to  rush  ofP  and  purchase 
it  at  once,  fearing  lest  some  one  might  get  ahead  of 
him. 

"  Softly,  softly,  sir,"  said  the  shrewd  old  felloAV.  ''  If 
these  fellows  get  an  inkling  of  what  is  in  the  wind,  the 
place  will  be  held  at  double  its  value.  I  hope,"  contin- 
ued he,  a  little  anxiously,  "  you  have  been  prudent  in 
this  matter,  and  have  not  been  talking  to  many  of  your 
great  prospects  ?  " 

On  being  assured  to  the  contrary,  he  appeared  much 
relieved,  and  went  on,  advising  Carew  to  take  Brandon 
with  him  to  Mayfield  for  a  visit. 


284  THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

In  the  meantime,  he  would  himself  see  the  parties  in 
interest  and  get  a  refusal  of  the  property  in  writing,  so 
as  to  have  it  ready  to  submit  to  Carew  for  acceptance 
or  rejection,  on  his  return  from  the  inspection. 

This  being  evidently  the  best  course  to  be  pursued, 
it  was  adopted.  Soon  after  this,  Carew  and  Brandon 
took  their  leave  of  Mr.  Goldsmith,  who  was  now 
anxious  to  be  rid  of  them,  in  order  that  he  might 
get  to  work  immediatel}' ;  he  therefore  declined  an 
invitation  to  dinner,  with  thanks,  promising  to  call  at 
the  hotel  on  the  next  day  but  one,  w^hen  they  would 
have  returned  from  their  contemplated  journey. 

As  the  two  friends  stepped  into  the  street,  our  hero 
proposed  walking  to  London  Bridge,  there  to  take  a 
steamer  to  Westminster,  whence,  after  a  look  through 
the  Houses  of  Parliament,  they  could  return  to  the 
hotel  in  ample  time  for  dinner.  This  being  agreed 
upon,  they  soon  arrived  at  the  pier,  where,  not  seeing 
the  boat  in  sight  which  they  were  to  take,  they  went 
on  London  bridge ;  from  this  coigne  of  vantage,  they 
obtained  a  fine  view  of  the  noble  river  and  its  shipping. 

The  Thames  at  this  point,  although  not  equal  to 
many  of  the  American  rivers,  is  spacious  enough  and 
well  worthy  of  the  affectionate  name  given  it  by  the 
English,  of  "  King  of  Rivers." 

The  noble  old  bridge,  so  rich  in  historical  associa- 
tions, attracted  the  particular  attention  of  the  visitors. 
After  spending  a  brief  interval  there,  the  steamer  they 
were  waiting  for  made  its  appearance.  They  descended 
hastily  to  the  pier  just  in  time  to  jump  on  board,  for 
the  fussy,  dirty,  spiteful  little  thing  swung  out  into  the 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  285 

current  almost  immediately,  and  went  clattering  up, 
against  the  tide.  They  passed  under  a  succession  of 
splendid  bridges.  The  river  is  lined  on  the  Surrey  side 
with  numberless  spacious  and  dingy  warehouses,  while 
on  the  opposite  bank  stands  St.  Paul's  great  dome, 
towering  aloft  until  lost  in  the  mist,  looking  like  a 
gigantic  balloon.  Then  come  the  graceful  Temple 
gardens,  followed  by  Somerset  House,  and  finally, 
Westminster  bridge.  At  this  pier,  the  gentlemen 
disembarked  and  went  at  once  to  the  Houses  of  Parlia- 
ment, passing  through  Westminster  Hall. 

"  Who  knows,"  said  Brandon  with  a  laugh,  as  they 
passed  through  the  latter  space,  "  but  the  Earl  of  May- 
field  may  have  to  stand  a  trial  for  high  treason  on  this 
spot,  by  his  peers,  at  some  future  day  ?  " 

Carew  smiled  at  the  conceit  of  the  idea,  and  echoed 
back  Brandon's  words :  "  Who  knows  !  " 

It  was  late  when  they  entered  the  noble  pile  dedica- 
ted to  the  use  of  England's  legislators.  Many  of  the 
apartments  were  closed  for  the  day,  while  they  could 
not  enter  either  of  the  splendid  rooms  appropriated  for 
the  use  of  the  two  houses,  as  they  were  then  in  session. 

"  Never  mind,  Brandon,"  said  Carew,  "  I  will  shortly 
be  in  a  position  to  give  you  an  open  sesame,  which  will 
procure  for  you  instant  admission  to  at  least  one  of 
these  chambers." 

"  Thanks,  my  noble  lord,"  replied  the  other  in  the 
same  vein,  "and  in  the  mean  time,  I  think  we  had 
better  get  dinner,  for  I  am  hungry." 

Carew  assenting,  they  emerged  from  the  palace  on 
the  side  facing  the  noble  equestrian  figure  of  the  heroic 


286  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

Co^uT  de  Lion,     After   stopping  to  admire   this,  the 
friends  went  home  to  dinner. 

This  important  business  concluded,  they  determined 
upon  making  inquiries  as  to  the  distance  and  trains  to 
Mayfield,  intending  to  leave  in  the  morning ;  but  they 
found  the  distance  to  be  only  fifty-five  miles,  fifty  of 
which  could  be  performed  by  rail  that  evening  to 
Wadhurst  station,  arriving  there  at  eight  o'clock ;  they 
would  then  onty  have  five  miles  to  drive  to  Mayfield. 
This  could  be  easily  done  in  a  carriage. 

They  therefore  departed  that  evening,  and  at  nine 
o'clock,  found  themselves  comfortably  ensconced  in  the 
"Rose  and  Crown"  inn,  at  Mayfield.  Here  they 
discussed  a  hot  supper  of  various  dishes  and  condi- 
ments, prepared  by  mine  host,  and  rendered  doubly 
acceptable  b}^  the  cold  ride  they  had  just  taken. 

Carew  endeavored  to  get  some  information  from  the 
landlord,  as  to  the  present  condition  of  the  Palace, 
but  he  was  a  young  man  and  knew  notliing  about  it. 
What  little  he  could  tell,  however,  tallied  with  Mr. 
Goldsmith's  information  —  as  to  a  portion  of  the  build- 
ing having  been  destroyed  by  fire,  so  they  abandoned 
the  matter  until  morning,  and  went  to  bed. 


THE    EAEL     OF    MAYFIELD.  287 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

THE    ANCESTKAL    HOME. 

OUR  hero  passed  a  restless  night !  He  got  up  with 
the  first  streak  of  dawn  and  went  to  his  window 
m  an  apartment  on  the  second  floor,  looking  west  He 
gazed  earnestly  and  minutely  on  every  object  within 
easy  range,  then  opening  the  lattice,  in  spite  of  the 
cold,  and  leaning  out  of  the  casement  as  far  as  possible, 
Carew  saw,  on  the  summit  of  a  small  hill,  at  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  to  his  right,  the  dim  outlines  of  a 
large  building,  for  the  sun  had  not  yet  risen. 

"And  this,"  thought  he,  "must  be  the  home  of  mv 
ancestors!  This  the  spot  where  they  lived  and  diedr 
In  sorrow  and  in  mirth  this  old  ruin  has  witnessed  the 
return  to  his  native  home  of  many  a  Carew  from  the 
wars,  covered  with  glory,  and  surrounded  in  triumphal 
procession  by  a  glittering  band  of  retainers,  panoplied 
in  steel,  and  bearing  aloft  banners  and  pennons  embla- 
zoned with  the  tiger's  head,  and  inscribed  with  the 
proud  motto  of  our  race  — Brave  and  Faithful ! 

"Alas!  to  look  upon  the  other  side  of  the  picture! 
bee  the  noble  castle  in  ruins;  by  its  former  owners 
abandoned ;  and  what  is  even  worse,  prostituted  to  the 
base  uses  of  peasants ! " 

As  he  spoke  these  last  words  aloud,  the  first  rays  of 
the  sun  struck  one  of  the  eastern  turrets  of  the  old 
palace,  and  gradually  descended,  until  the  whole  build- 
ing was  bathed  in  a  rosy  glow. 


288  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

He  greedily  seized  upon  this  circumstance  as  a  favor- 
able omen,  ordinary  and  every  day  as  it  was ;  but  he 
felt  as  though  it  was  his  high  duty  to  restore  the  fallen 
fortunes  of  his  house.  He  dedicated  himself  then  and 
there  to  this  work,  and  invoked  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  his  undertaking.  Filled  with  this  spirit,  he  sank 
upon  his  knees,  and  thanked  the  Deity  fervently  for 
the  blessings  conferred  this  day  upon  him  ;  he  faithfully 
promised  to  make  this  deserted  and  forlorn  habitation 
his  future  home,  and  to  look  after  the  physical  and 
moral  welfare  of  his  people,  so  long  neglected.  He 
remembered  the  divine  injunction,  "the  poor  ye  have 
always,"  and  repeated  it  aloud  as  being  a  part  of  his 
duty  for  the  future. 

He  rose  and  was  somewhat  surprised  at  the  length  of 
time  he  had  remained  at  the  w^indow,  for,  on  looking  at 
his  watch,  he  found  it  was  nearly  eight  o'clock.  Bran- 
don now  knocked  at  the  door,  but  Carew,  instead  of 
admitting  him  as  usual,  simply  said  that  he  might  order 
breakfast  and  he  would  join  him  in  a  few  minutes. 
His  mind  was  still  filled  with  the  glow  of  a  noble 
enthusiasm ;  we  say  noble  enthusiasm,  for  talk  as  we 
will  in  these  modern  utilitarian  days,  when  most  men 
laugh  at  emotion  of  any  kind,  still  there  is  a  mysterious 
something  which  thrills,  and  causes  the  blood  to  flow 
through  the  veins  in  accelerated  currents  when  we  read 
of  heroic  deeds  !  If  this  be  the  case,  then  how  much 
greater  must  be  the  feeling  which  animates  the  soul  of 
one  descended  from  a  long  line  of  heroes  and  states- 
men ? 

Must  not  the  recital  of  their  deeds  cause  a  proud 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  289 

flush  to  rise  on  the  cheek  of  their  inheritor?  Would 
he  not  be  less  than  mean,  and  unworthy  of  his  blood 
did  he  not  feel  the  lofty  spirit  of  emulation  stir  within, 
prompting  him  to  preserve  the  blood  of  such  a  race  in 
its  pristine  purity,  and  to  at  least  maintain,  if  he  cannot 
augment,  the  honor  of  the  family,  an  honor  sacredly 
entrusted  to  him,  and  of  which  he  is  merely  the  custo- 
dian in  his  time  and  generation.  Is  all  this  nothing? 
Are  we  to  believe  the  man  who  will,  with  one  breath, 
say  that  pedigrees  and  pride  of  blood  are  but  worthless 
and  childish  toys,  while  with  the  next  breath  he  will 
show  with  exultation  the  pedigree  of  his  own  race 
horse  ? 

Happy  is  he  who  can  point  with  honest  pride  to  his 
forefathers,  and,  putting  his  finger  upon  the  name  and 
date,  can  say,  this  fought  at  Crecy,  that  sacrificed  his 
life  to  save  his  friend,  and  another  refused  to  sell  his 
country  for  gold  !  Happy  also  is  the  country  in  which 
such  distinctions  are  honored  and  cherished;  thrice 
happy  and  fortunate  in  the  possession  of  such  children, 
whose  lives  and  sacred  honors  are  indissolubly  bound 
with  its  own  destinies!  Such  a  country  and  people 
must  ever  be  great.  It  may  meet  with  calamity,  but 
in  such  dark  times  of  trial,  heroes  will  be  forthcoming, 
as  of  old ;  the  pure  untarnished  blood  of  generations 
will  come  to  the  front,  to  rescue  the  fountain  of  honor 
from  whence  emanates  their  own  dignities ! 

We  will  not  apologize  for  this  digression,  for  whether 
sympathizing   or  not,   the    gentle    reader  will   respect 
these  sentiments,  which  animated  our  hero,  but  which 
we  have  expressed  as  coming  from  ourselves. 
18 


290  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

Carew  thought  of  one  fair  creature  as  he  descended 
the  stairs,  whose  vision  constant!}^  occupied  his  mind. 

"  I  will  search  for  her ;  her  pure  brow  will  grace  a 
coronet,  should  she  deign  to  wear  it  I " 

Brandon  now  came  to  meet  him  with  these  words : 

"  Methinks  my  lord  is  not  very  anxious  to  visit  the 
tombs  of  his  ancestors,  for  he  is  late  this  morning. 
Here  have  I — his  poor  secretary  and  henchman,  Charles 
Brandon  —  been  abroad  these  two  hours,  endeavoring 
to  glean  some  information  which  might  prove  of  advan- 
tage to  his  master's  interests." 

"  Thanks,  good  and  gentle  Brandon,"  replied  Carew, 
in  the  same  vein,  "  your  zeal  is  well  approved ;  we 
shall  have  to  raise  you  above  the  dignity  of  secretary, 
and  constitute  you  our  Squire." 

"  Gramerc}^  my  noble  lord ;  3-ou  do  your  poor  servant 
too  much  honor." 

"Well,  jesting  aside,"  said  Carew,  "I  hope  our 
breakfast  is  read}^  for  I  am  anxious  to  explore  the 
Palace.  I  have  already-  caught  a  glimpse  of  what  I 
conceive  to  be  it  from  my  window." 

Brandon  replied:  "Breakfast  is  waiting,  come."  As 
parew  followed,  he  continued,  "  I  have  walked  to  the 
foot  of  the  hill  on  which  the  old  Castle,  as  they  call  it 
here,  is  situated.  I  did  not  enter  the  building,  for  fear 
lest  you  might  be  waiting  for  me ;  it  is  no  doubt  the 
building  3-011  saw,  for,  with  the  exception  of  the  church, 
it  is  the  only  extensive  one  here.  It  is  not  over  a  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  from  this  inn." 

"How  do  you  like  the  looks  of  the  town  and  its 
surroundings  ?  "  asked  Carew. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  291 

"  Very  much,  indeed ;  there  is  a  quaint,  sleepy  air 
about  everything  which  is  perfectly  delicious  to  one 
fresh  from  raw  and  bustling  America.  I  should  judge, 
however,  that  the  place  is  not  very  prosperous ;  nearly 
every  building  has  a  neglected  look,  and  the  populace 
are  decidedly  seedy  in  appearance.  The  hour  was  early, 
however,  and  perhaps  the  better  portion  of  the  citizens 
were  not  yet  about." 

At  this  point  the  landlord  entered,  to  see  whether  his 
guests  needed  anything;  both  answered  in  a  breath 
that  everything  was  perfectly  comfortable  and  satisfac- 
tory; the  beds  were  sweet  and  clean,  and  the  food 
excellent,  there  being  an  abundance  of  fresh  eggs,  pure 
milk  and  broiled  fowl,  which  with  the  bread,  butter, 
delicious  fresh  cress  and  good  tea,  afforded  an  ample 
meal. 

"  What  is  there  worth  seeing  here,  landlord?  "  asked 
Carew. 

''Well,  sir,  there  is  not  much;  Mayfield  is  a  very 
quiet,  dull  place,  though  they  say  it  used  to  be  busy 
enough  in  years  gone  by,  howsomever,  it  be'nt  so  since 
I've  been  'ere.  There  is  the  old  Church  of  St.  Dunstan, 
which  many  gents  and  ladies  comes  to  see ;  then  there's 
the  old  castle,  or  palace,  as  some  calls  it  —  tho'  I  don't 
see  much  about  it  to  signify  why  it  got  that  name  — 
then  we  have  some  springs  here,  which  is,  to  my  taste, 
just  the  same  as  them  at  Tunbridge,  that  people  makes 
sich  a  fuss  over." 

"  This  is  a  fair  catalogue  of  curiosities  for  a  simple 
hamlet,"  remarked  Carew;  "we  are  obliged  to  you, 
landlord,  and  will  spend  the  day  in  looking  around. 


292  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

You  can  have  dinner  for  us  at — ,  but  stay,  we  wish  to 
return  to  London  this  evening.  When  must  we  leave 
to  catch  the  last  train  ?  " 

"  The  last  train  passes  Wadhurst  at  eight,  sir.  If 
you  leave  at  seven,  or  a  quarter  past,  you'll  be  in 
good  time,  sir." 

"  Good !  "  said  Carew,  "  have  dinner  then  at  five.'' 

"  Yes,  sir  !  What  would  ye  be  pleased  to  have,  sir  ? 
We  have  fresh  trout,  mutton,  beef,  chicken,  'am  and 
eggs,  and  —  " 

"  Stop,  landlord !  "  cried  Carew,  laughing,  "  half  of 
the  list  will  serve  our  turn,  I  will  only  stij^ulate  for  the 
trout — by  the  way,  where  do  you  get  them? — and  a 
bottle  of  good  port,  if  you  have  it;  the  rest  of  the 
dinner  you  can  arrange  after  your  own  fashion." 

"  Very  good,  sir,"  said  mine  host,  bowing,  much 
gratified  at  the  confidence  reposed  in  him. 

"  You  wanted  to  know,  sir,  where  the  trout  comes 
from.  We  get  them  from  the  river,  sir  —  the  Rother  — 
about  three  miles  h'off,  sir ;  and  for  the  port,  sir,  you 
have  just  asked  for  the  very  article  I  takes  most  pride 
in  I  It's  very  old,  nearly  fifty  year  old,  sir.  It  came 
from  the  sale  of  the  old  lord,  who  died  here  lang 
syne." 

The  friends  looked  at  each  other,  speechless.  A  tear 
glistened  in  Carew's  eye,  and  he  rose  hastily  from  the 
table,  going  to  the  window  to  conceal  his  emotion. 
Brandon,  to  cover  his  retreat,  said  quickly,  rising  also, 

"  Let  us  have  a  bottle  by  all  means,  and  let  the 
dinner  be  read}^  at  sharp  five." 

With  a  ready  and  pleased  "yes,  sir,"  the  landlord 
retired. 


THE    EARL    OF    HATFIELD.  293 

"Come,  Brandon,"  said  Carew,  abruptly,  and  seizing 
his  hat,  he  walked  with  a  rapid  step  through  the  short 
passage  leading  into  the  street.  Brandon  followed,  and 
as  Carew  hesitated,  not  knowing  the  way,  said: 

"  This  is  the  road  leading  to  the  Castle.  I  suppose 
you  wish  to  see  that  first?" 

"No!"  said  the  other,  "I  wish  first  to  visit  the 
Church  of  St.  Dunstan,  there  to  see  and  reverence  the 
tombs  of  my  ancestors !  They  have  been  neglected-  too 
long  already.  Their  solitary  descendant  must,  while 
he  can,  do  them  what  honor  he  may ! " 

" The  church,"  answered  his  friend,  "is  not  far  from 
the  palace,  a  slight  detour  will  take  us  to  it  while  en 
route  for  the  latter  place."  Thus  saying,  he  led  the 
way  up  the  main  street,  or  rather  road,  of  the  village 

There  was  now  some  little  bustle  in  the  town  •  the 
usual  complement  of  children  were  playing  in  the  way 
dogs  barking  at  every  real  or  imaginary  grievance,  with 
now  and  then  a  cat  rushing  across  a  by-street,  fol- 
lowed by  its  natural  enemy. 

There  were  a  dozen  or  so  of  shops  of  various  kinds, 
among  others  was  displayed  quite  a  handsome  show- 
window  which,  on  inspection,  proved  to  be  that  of  the 
village  chemist,  while  on  a  side  door  of  the  same  build- 
ing could  be  seen  a  small  tin  sign,  with  the  words 
'Henry  Harland,  Surgeon,"  painted  on  it. 

"Thus,  you  will  perceive,"  said  Brandon,  pointing 
at  these,  "people  do  get  sick  even  here,  in  one  of  the 
most  salubrious  counties  of  merrie  England!  " 

';  Ay,"  replied  his  friend,  "and  they  die,  too  !"  indi- 
cating in  his  turn  the  shop  of  George  Richardson,  who 


294  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

united  in  his  own  person  the  triple  professions  of 
"  Bricklayer,  Sexton  and  Undertaker." 

"  True,"  said  Brandon,  reading  the  sign,  "  but  there 
is  also  ample  cheer  to  be  had  in  the  good  town  of  IMay- 
field,  for  besides  our  own  hostelry  of  the  ''  Rose  and 
Crown,"  there  are  the  "  New  Inn,"  the  "  Royal  Oak," 
and  the  "  Star  Inn,"  so  that  one  need  not  starve  at 
May  field,  even  though  he  be  not  a  lord  of  high 
degree  ! " 

*'  I  am  glad  to  see  we  do  not  attract  much  attention," 
remarked  Carew,  after  they  had  Avalked  some  yards  in 
silence  ;  "  it  is  an  evidence  that  they  are  in  the  habit  of 
seeing  strangers." 

"  'Tis  lucky  for  you  that  you  are  as  jet  incog.^^'  ejacu- 
lated his  friend.  "  There  is  St.  Dunstan's,"  continued 
he,  as  the  tall  square  tower  of  the  church  came  into 
full  view,  embowered  by  trees. 

Carew  was  silent;  his  thoughts  were  too  deep  for  utter- 
ance, and  he  moved  on  with  quickened  pace  and  throb- 
bing heart,  gazing  earnestly  at  the  venerable  structure, 
as  its  huge  bulk  loomed  up  through  the  trees,  commo- 
dious enough  to  seat  many  more  than  its  present  limited 
congregation.  They  at  last  entered  a  small  iron  gate, 
placed  b}^  the  side  of  two  larger  ones  of  the  same  mate- 
rial, but  which  were  locked,  being,  in  all  likelihood, 
reserved  for  grand  occasions,  or  when  some  one  was 
taken  to  his  or  her  last  resting  place.  They  were  now 
within  the  graveyard,  surrounded  by  the  usual  number 
of  mounds  and  stones  in  old  cemeteries,  indicating  — 
the  stones  at  least  —  the  names,  ages,  and  dates  of 
death  of  the  occupants. 


THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  295 

Our  hero  paused  a  moment,  uncertain  how  to  pro- 
ceed, and  looked  around,  then,  as  if  reflecting  that 
persons  of  the  prominence  of  those  he  was  in  quest  of, 
would  be  interred  within  the  sacred  edifice  itself,  he 
pushed  rapidly  forward  and  entered  the  huge  portal, 
Avhich  stood  open.  He  entered  the  building,  followed 
closely  by  Brandon,  and  gazed  silently  around.  The 
first  object  that  met  his  eye  was  the  curious  old  stone 
font,  on  approaching  which  he  found  the  date  of  its 
erection  to  be  1666,  cut  in  raised  figures. 

Advancing  up  the  broad  nave,  he  was  astonished  at 
observing  the  unusual  depth  of  the  chancel,  with  its 
richly  carved  stone  traceries.  The  exquisite  pulpit  of 
carved  oak  next  attracted  notice ;  after  another  compre- 
hensive glance,  which  drank  in  the  whole  of  the  noble 
interior,  with  its  arches,  its  carvings  in  stone  and  wood, 
and  its  stained  glass,  Carew  bethought  himself  of  the 
object  of  his  visit,  and  began  searching  for  the  tombs 
of  the  Carews,  and,  more  particularly,  for  that  of  the 
last  lord,  his  grandfather. 

In  this  he  was  assisted  by  Brandon ;  they  did  not 
stop  to  examine  or  admire  the  numerous  tombs  and 
tablets,  which  filled  the  interior  and  covered  the  walks 
and  stone  pavement,  recording  the  names  and  titles  of 
many  families  with  quaint  inscriptions  in  old  English 
and  in  Latin.  Not  a  single  Carew,  or  Earl  of  Mayfield, 
did  they  find  recorded,  although  they  had  now  made 
the  circuit  of  the  aisles  and  examined  all  the  tablets,  as 
well  as  the  more  pretentious  monuments.  Both  friends, 
much  perplexed,  were  on  the  point  of  retarning  to  the 
yard  outside,  concluding  that  the  tombs  must  be  there ; 


296  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

they  accordingly  moved  down  the  nave  towards  the 
front  entrance  and  when  nearly  there,  were  met  by  a 
feeble  old  man,  who  came  tottering  up  and,  in  a  firmer 
tone  than  could  have  been  anticipated,  proffered  his 
services  to  the  strangers,  stating  himself  to  be  the 
sexton. 

"We  wish  to  visit  the  tombs  of  the  Earls  of  May- 
field,"  said  Carew. 

"  Well  now,  alack-a-day,"  said  the  old  man,  looking 
curiously  at  his  visitors,  "  that  is  queer,  to  be  sure." 

"  What  is  queer,  my  friend  ?  "  said  Carew.  "  Is  it 
not  a  natural  wish,  for  strangers  to  see  the  burial  place 
of  what  must  have  been  in  its  day,  the  greatest  family 
in  these  parts  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure,  sir ;  to  be  sure,"  repeated  the  old  man, 
"  an'  so  they  was  sir,  a  great  family  in  their  day.  I 
minded  the  time  well,  when  the  old  lord  lived  in  foine 
old  style  in  the  Palace,  the  Castle  they  ca's  it  now; 
but  a's  dead  and  gone ;  dead  and  gone,  these  many  a 
year.  Ye  are  the  first  gents  I  see  here,  speerin'  arter 
their  graves,  since  —  since;  oh  dear,  oh  dear;  me 
mind's  gone  entirely,"  said  he  after  a  vain  effort  to 
remember,  and  lapsing  into  silence  with  a  sigh. 

"  Then  you  can  show  us  their  tombs,"  said  Carew 
brightening.  He  slipped  a  half  sovereign  into  the 
hand  of  the  old  sexton  and  said:  "Now,  move  on, 
please,  for  our  time  is  short." 

The  man  looked  in  amazement  at  the  coin. 

"  Gold,"  muttered  he ;  "  ye  be  real  quality,  sure. 
Come,  sirs,  the  old  lords  are  by  theyselves  in  the  crypt 
below."     And  he  led  the  wa}^  with  tremulous  steps  as 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  297 

hastily   as   he   could   up   the    nave,   followed    by   the 
gentlemen. 

The  old  sexton  paused  a  moment  at  the  communion 
rail  to  open  a  portion  of  it,  which  formed  a  small  gate. 
Entering  first  through  this  into  the  chancel,  he  held  it 
open  for  the  others,  and  then  carefully  closing  the  gate 
he  led  the  way  to  the  vestry.  Here,  after  fumbling 
about  for  some  minutes,  he  finally  succeeded  in  produ- 
cing the  object  of  his  search,  a  large  key,  with  which 
he  opened  a  door  in  the  wall  on  one  side  of  the  vestry, 
and  disclosed  a  flight  of  stone  steps  leading  to  the 
crypt.  These  the  party  descended,  and  soon  entered 
the  spot  so  long  searched  for  fruitlessly. 

The  crypt  was  octagonal  in  form,  about  forty  feet 
in  diameter,  and  dimly  lighted  by  seven  windows  of 
stained  glass,  which  had  been  beautiful,  but  were  now 
cracked  and  dingy  with  age  and  neglect.  The  space 
where  should  have  been  the  eighth  window,  was 
reserved  for  the  entrance.  Around  this  subterranean 
chapel— for  there  were  the  remains  of  a  marble  altar 
on  one  side  — were  placed  nearly,  if  not  quite,  two 
dozen  tombs,  with  effigies  on  nearly  all,  in  marble, 
stone,  and  one  or  two  of  brass,  of  life  size,  commemo- 
rating the  dignities  and  worth  of  the  departed  lords  of 
Mayfield.  Escutcheons  of  various  styles  and  work- 
manship abounded  on  all  sides.  The  pavement,  of 
colored  marble,  was  wrought  into  numberless  heraldic 
devices,  all  commemorative  of  the  noble  line  of  war- 
riors and  sages  here  interred. 

The  last  of  this  long  line  stood  in  awe-struck  silence, 
amazed  as   well   at   the   impressive   scene,  as   at   the 


298  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

magnificence  of   the   mausoleum,  which   attested   the 
greatness  of  its  former  lords,  and  present  occupants. 

The  old  sexton  was  the  first  to  break  silence  as 
he  lit  a  candle  he  had  brought,  in  order  that  the 
inscriptions  might  be  more  easily  read. 

"  Woe  is  me  I  but  'tis  a  pity  the  auld  race  has  died 
out.  There  's  none  left  to  take  care  on  it  now,  and  it 's 
goin'  to  ruin." 

Carew  silently  took  the  candle  from  his  hand  and 
held  it  to  the  first  tomb  within  reach. 

"  Here,"  said  he,  "  lie  the  remains  of  William  Carew, 
Seventh  Baron  of  Gracedieu.  He  died  September  11th, 
1414.  This  nobleman  was  'Lord  High  Treasurer  of 
England.     Temp.  Henry  IV.'  " 

"  Let  us  look  at  this  tomb,"  said  Brandon,  taking  the 
candle  and  holding  it  over  a  curious  brass  effigy  of  life 
size,  representing  a  mail-clad  warrior,  with  crossed  legs. 

"  This  indicates,"  said  Carew,  alluding  to  the  posi- 
tion of  his  legs,  "  that  he  was  a  crusader,  or  a  pilgrim, 
to  Palestine." 

"Yes,"  said  Brandon,  "here  is  the  inscription  in 
Norman  Latin.  I  will  translate  it  freely :  '  Here  lie  the 
mortal  remains  of  John  Carew,  Sixth  Baron  of  Grace- 
dieu, who  died  at  Paphos,  on  his  way  to  the  Holy 
Land.' " 

"  Ere  's  the  auldest  of  'em  all,  sir,"  said  the  old  man, 
shoT\dng  a  stone  hoary  with  age  and  much  mutilated, 
which  was  let  into  the  pavement,  or  what  was  more 
probable,  had  been  left  as  it  was  when  the  mausoleum 
was  built. 

The  inscription  was  short  and  simple,  being,  "James, 
Fourth  Baron  Gracedieu.     He  was  at  Crecy." 


THE     EARL     OF     MATFIELD.  299 

"  An'  now,  sirs,  I  '11  show  ye  the  last  lord  of  all." 

He  led  them  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  crypt,  and 
showed  a  plain  marble  stone,  also  let  into  the  pavement, 
with  the  following  inscription :  "  Sacred  to  the  memory 
of  Sir  Charles  Carew,  IX.  Earl  of  Mayfield;  XX. 
Baron  Carew,  of  Gracedieu,  and  a  Baronet  of  Great 
Britain ;  died  Sept.  20th,  1820." 

"  And  this  stone  covers  the  last  resting  place  of  my 
grandfather,"  muttered  Carew,  handing  the  candle 
back  with  a  trembling  hand  to  the  old  man,  who  said : 

"  An'  now,  sirs,  we  '11  gang  up  stairs,  to  see  St. 
Dunstan's  ralics." 

"Not  to-day,"  replied  Carew  briefly  ;  "we  must  go." 

"  Not  see  St.  Dunstan's  ralics  :  his  h'anvil,  sword  and 
mallit ! "  cried  the  sexton,  scarcely  believing  his  ears, 
and  looking  suspiciously  at  the  gentlemen. 

"  No !  I  tell  you  no  !  "  said  Carew  pettishly. 

"  Come,"  said  Brandon,  "  I  will  go  with  you.  Leave 
the  candle,  this  gentleman  has  seen  St.  Dunstan's  relics 
before ;  he  wishes  to  remain  here  a  little  longer  to  look 
at  these  old  tombs." 

The  sexton,  mollified  at  this,  went  off  with  the  secre- 
tary, chattering  in  his  ear  the  legend  of  St.  Dunstan. 

As  soon  as  they  were  gone,  Carew  bowed  his  head  in 
silent  prayer,  and  vowed  that  his  father's  remains 
should  be  brought  from  Louisiana  and  placed  with  the 
others. 

"  He  shall  also  be  styled  Tenth  Earl,  and  Twenty- 
first  Baron.     I  will  not  usurp  his  honors." 

Thus  muttering  to  himself,  he  extinguished  the 
candle  and  ascended  to  the  vestry,  where  he  found 
Brandon  aAvaiting  him. 


300  THE     EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

"  Come,  we  must  be  moving.  I  am  determined  to 
return  to  London  this  night.  We  will  hurry  over  the 
Palace,  and  then  back  to  the  tavern ;  we  have  already 
seen  the  most  important,  in  my  mind,  of  the  objects." 

They  therefore  parted  from  the  old  man,  and  hast- 
ened rapidly  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  on  which  the 
castle,  or  palace,  was  situated.  On  all  sides,  ruin  and 
neglect  were  apparent ;  it  was  easy  to  see  this  had  once 
been  a  lovely  spot.  An  ample  park  had  extended  for 
several  hundred  acres  around  the  Palace ;  this  was 
evidenced  by  the  remains  of  a  wall,  with  its  entrance 
gates,  which  they  passed  on  the  way. 

Ascending  the  hill  by  a  rather  steep  road,  they 
arrived  at  the  building  on  its  most  dilapidated  side. 
Here  nothing  but  the  loose  walls  remained.  Instead  of 
entering,  the  friends  thought  it  best  to  find  some  one 
in  the  inhabited  portion,  who  might  be  able  to  give  at 
least  some  information  concerning  the  building.  They 
soon  met  a  serving  man,  who  called  several  times  for 
"  Mr.  Francis ; "  in  answer  to  these  demands,  a  white 
haired  farmer  made  his  appearance  from  the  door  of  a 
low,  one-storied  portion  of  what  might  have  been  one 
of  the  ancient  offices  of  the  Palace. 

Carew  stepped  forward  and  in  a  few  words  made 
known  their  desire  of  looking  over  the  old  Palace. 

"  Certainly,  sir,"  said  the  man,  civilly.  "  Walk  in, 
gentlemen,  I  '11  send  my  son  wi'  ye." 

Stepping  out,  he  cried  vigorousl}^  for  "Jan,  Jan," 
but  without  effect.  Returning,  he  remarked  that  he 
would  take  the  gentlemen  around  himself,  saying  as  he 
led  the  way  into  the  next  room : 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  301 

"  This,  gents,  was  the  old  dinin'-room ;  it's  pretty  old 
too,  as  ye  can  see  from  the  year  on  the  mantel." 

''  It  is  1663  !  "  cried  Brandon.  "  What  do  you  use  it 
for  now  ?  " 

"  For  a  hop  stun,"  replied  the  farmer. 

"  To  such  base  uses  have  we  come,"  said  Brandon  in 
a  low  voice.     Carew  was  silent. 

The  man  continued  to  lead  them  from  one  room  to 
another;  some  of  these  were  beautifully  ornamented 
with  quaint  oak  carvings,  others  were  panelled,  others 
again  were  wainscoted;  all  were  antique  and  unique. 
There  was  also  much  carving  in  stone,  and  the  arms, 
crest  and  motto  of  the  family  appeared  at  frequent 
intervals,  sometimes  carved  in  wood  and  at  others  in 
stone.  These  heraldic  devices  were  also  quartered  and 
blended  with  those  of  other  noble  families,  thus  show- 
ing the  intermarriages.  Among  these  were  the  bear 
and  rugged  staff  of  the  famous  Earls  of  Warwick,  the 
royal  escutcheon  of  Scotland,  and  the  lion  of  the 
Howards  of  Norfolk,  with  tail  extended ;  statant  gar- 
dant^  on  its  cap  of  estate. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,  we  comes  to  the  part  of  the  castle 
which  was  burnt  about  thirty  year  ago;  it  were  the 
finest  part;  here  was  the  old  hall." 

This  was  a  magnificent  apartment,  thirtv-nine  feet 
wide  and  seventy  feet  long,  as  the  old  farmer  testified, 
he  having  measured  it.  This  space  was  roofless;  the 
bare  walls  were  exposed  to  the  weather,  and  blackened 
by  the  flames  which  had  gutted  them.  So  substantially 
however,  had  it  been  constructed,  that  these  superb 
gothic  arches  of  stone,  which  had  formerly  supported 


302  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

the  roof,  were  still  entire  and  in  a  perfect  state  of 
preservation ;  so  much  so,  that  this  hall  could  be  rein- 
stated in  its  original  splendor  at  a  comparatively 
moderate  cost. 

Carew's  heart  was  too  full  for  speech ;  he  could  only 
look  around  in  silent  sorrow  at  the  scene  of  ruin,  which 
time,  neglect  and  the  flames  had  made. 

Brandon,  seeing  and  appreciating  his  friend's  condi- 
tion, exerted  himself  to  keep  the  old  farmer  in  a  garru- 
lous condition,  by  throwing  in  a  well-timed  word  here 
and  there.  This  was  not  difficult  of  accomplishment, 
for  the  man  was  simple  and  good  natured,  as  are  most 
of  his  class.  He  however  knew  nothing  of  the  family 
to  whom  the  old  building  had  belonged;  he  was  from 
another  county  and  did  not  trouble  himself  about 
former  da3's  and  times. 

"  Havin\"  as  he  expressed  it,  "  troubles  enow  of  his 
own,  without  fashing  liimself  with  those  of  ither  folk." 
While  thus  speaking  he  led  the  way  to  the  foot  of  one 
of  the  two  turrets  or  towers,  placed  near  the  entrance 
to  the  hall.  ''  Here  is  a  pretty  good  stun  stair  to  the 
top,  where  ye  can  hev  a  fine  view." 

They  accordingly  ascended  this  tower ;  it  was  circu- 
lar in  shape,  about  fifteen  feet  in  diameter,  and  sur- 
rounded inside  by  a  spiral  stone  staircase  of  excellent 
workmanship  and  in  a  fair  condition,  considering  the 
fact,  that  this  portion  had  also  been  gutted  by  the 
flames,  and  that  it  was  open  at  the  top  and  exposed  to 
the  full  action  of  the  elements ;  it  was  evidently  very 
old,  perhaps,  the  most  ancient  portion  of  the  entire 
structure.     The  walls  were  about  four  feet  thick  at  the 


THE     EARL     OF      M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D  .  303 

base,  diminishing  to  about  two  feet  at  the  top;  they 
were  composed  of  large,  roughly  hewn,  but  well 
jointed  stones,  and  were  pierced  at  intervals  of  about 
two  yards,  with  long,  narrow,  vertical  slits,  evidently 
intended  for  purposes  of  defence.  This  tower  was  at 
least  one  hundred  and  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  in  height, 
and  when  to  this  was  added  the  elevation  of  the  hill 
on  which  the  palace  stood,  it  gave  a  fine  view  of  the 
country. 

This  was  fully  realized  by  the  friends,  as  they 
balanced  themselves  as  well  as  they  could  on  the  top- 
most steps  and  clung  to  the  crumbling  battlements, 
which  here  showed  the  effects  of  the  fury  of  the  ele- 
ments, so  fully  were  they  exposed. 

The  prospect  was  varied  in  the  extreme.  Mayfield 
sits  on  the  summit  of  a  hill,  and  may  be  said  to  form 
the  centre  of  an  amphitheatre  of  other,  and  higher  hills, 
which  almost  surround  it  on  all  sides,  except  to  the 
south. 

There  the  gentle  and  lovely  river  Rother  flows a 

silver  thread  as  viewed  from  the  tower  —  spread  around 
are  abundant  crops  of  corn  and  hops,  while  here  and 
there  in  the  distance  are  groups  of  trees,  showing  that 
there  sits  the  residence  of  some  noble  or  gentleman, 
surrounded  by  its  park. 

''  This  has,  indeed,  been  a  lordly  domain,"  said  Carew 
with  a  sigh,  as  he  drank  in  the  prospect. 

"And  will  be  again,"  answered  his  friend,  encour- 
agingly, for  he  had  remarked,  since  their  entrance  to 
the  crypt,  that  Carew  was  very  much  depressed,  and 
evidently  somewhat  appalled  at  the  magnitude  of  his 


304  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

contemplated  enterprise,  of  restoring  these  hills  and 
lands  to  their  pristine  glory ! 

They  now  descended,  and,  after  thanking  the  farmer, 
rewarding  him  handsomely  and  drinking  some  of  his 
excellent  home-brewed  ale,  accompanied  by  a  bit  of 
cheese  and  breskd  by  way  of  luncheon,  they  bade  him 
farewell  and  made  the  best  of  their  way  back  to  the 
*'  Rose  and  Crown,"  having  but  little  conversation  by 
the  way,  for  Carew  was  out  of  spirits. 

He,  however,  rallied,  on  partaking  of  the  excellent 
dinner  which  was  waiting  for  them,  but  as  they  were 
later  than  the  hour  fixed,  it  was  necessary  to  hurry  in 
order  to  catch  the  train.  This  was,  however,  accom- 
plished, and  in  due  time  the  travellers  were  set  down 
at  the  Victoria  station,  whence  a  cab  speedily  deposited 
them  at  their  old  quarters  in  the  Westminster  Palace 
Hotel,  heartily  tired,  even  though  so  much  interested  in 
the  objects  and  scenes  they  had  witnessed  that  day. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  305 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

THE     NEW     EARL. 

ACCORDING  to  appointment,  Mr.  Goldsmith  called 
at  Carew's  hotel.  The  latter  was  yet  at  breakfast, 
but  requested  that  the  visitor  be  shown  in  to  the  table, 
and,  on  his  entrance,  excused  himself  for  being  caught 
so  late  at  the  morning  meal,  on  the  score  of  excessive 
fatigue  and  emotion,  undergone  on  the  previous  day. 

After  a  little  conversation,  referring  to  the  trip  to 
Mayfield,  and  Carew's  impressions  of  the  place,  the 
solicitor  remarked,  that  he  had  communicated  with  the 
agent  in  charge  of  the  estate,  with  reference  to  its  pur- 
chase, and  expected  to  get  a  proposition  from  him  in 
two  or  three  days. 

"  What  progress  have  you  made  in  the  matter  of  the 
titles?"  inquired  his  auditor. 

"  I  can  only  report  progress  thus  far ;  having  simply 
laid  the  papers  before  my  friend,  the  Home  Secretary. 
This  gentleman  recommends  that  a  petition  be  addressed 
directly  to  the  Crown ;  it  will  then,  most  probably,  be 
referred  to  the  Attorney  General  for  examination  ;  if 
this  be  favorable,  he  will  so  endorse  the  petition  and 
return  it  to  the  proper  officer  representing  the  Crown, 
who  will  then  lay  it  before  the  House  of  Lords  for 
final  action.  I  have  drawn  the  petition  up,  and  have 
it  with  me,  for  you  to  peruse  and  sign,"  said  Mr. 
Goldsmith,  handing  the  paper  to  Carew,  who  read  it 
carefully. 

19 


306  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

It  was  a  simple  document,  setting  forth  the  facts  in 
terse  language  —  ending  by  a  prayer  to  be  reinstated 
in  all  the  honors  and  dignities  formerly  enjoyed  by  the 
ancestors  of  the  petitioner. 

"  I  especially  desire  that  my  father  be  also  recognized 
as  my  predecessor,  you  have  omitted  to  ask  this." 

"  It  is  not  necessary,  the  mere  fact  of  your  accession 
to  the  dignities,  proves  your  father's  right ;  indeed  you 
could  not  enjoy  these  honors  except  tlii'ough,  and  after 
your  father." 

"I  am  rejoiced  to  learn  this,  it  is  just  what  I  have 
ardently  desired.  How  long  do  you  think  it  will  take 
to  have  the  matter  settled,  one  way  or  the  other?  " 

"  It  is  difficult  even  to  conjecture,"  replied  Goldsmith, 
*■'  they  may  act  immediately,  or  it  may  take  three  or  four 
months.  We  ought,  however,  to  have  an  inkling  of 
the  progress  of  our  petition  in  a  few  days,  I  think  I 
will  be  able  to  ascertain  something,  particularly,  if 
matters  are  looking  well." 

Carew's  countenance  fell  at  this  anticipated  delay,  he 
said :  "  I  am  desirous  of  going  to  Italy  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, can  I  not  go  and  leave  this  matter  in  your  hands?  " 

"  Not  at  present,  Mr.  Carew,  your  testimony  may  be 
called  for  on  almost  any  day  after  this  paper  is  laid 
before  the  Attorney  General;  I  would  not  leave 
London,  even  for  a  visit  to  Mayfield  if  I  were  in 
your  place." 

"  Well,  I  suppose  I  must  have  patience,  but  it  is  very 
tiresome,  when  one  is  so  anxious  to  be  off." 

"  Doubtless,"  remarked  Goldsmith.  "  But  you  should 
remember  that  peerages  are  not  to  be  had  for  the 
simple  asking ;  you  are  playing  for  a  great  prize." 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  307 

Brandon  now  entered,  and  the  three  gentlemen  left 
the  breakfast-room,  and  seated  themselves  in  chairs  in 
Carew's  sitting-room,  when  the  solicitor  inquired  as  to 
what  action  should  be  taken  with  reference  to  acquiring 
the  Mayfield  estate ;  "  for,"  said  he,  "  there  is  a  possi- 
bility of  failure,  you  know,  with  respect  to  getting  the 
titles.  In  this  event,  would  you  still  care  about  hold- 
ing landed  property  in  England  ?  " 

Carew  reflected  for  some  time  before  he  replied. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  this  is  my  family,  nor  can  '*t 
be  doubted  that  I  am  the  sole  survivor,  I  therefore 
regard  it  as  a  duty  to  protect  the  graves  of  my  fore- 
fathers. Yes,  I  will  take  the  estate  in  any  event.  But, 
may  there  not  be  some  trouble  on  the  score  of  my  being 
an  alien  ?  Does  not  your  English  law  say  that  none 
but  a  subject  shall  own  land  ?  " 

"  There  is  such  a  law,  but  it  does  not  apply  to  your 
case ;  every  son  of  an  Englishman,  no  matter  where  he 
may  have  been  born,  follows  the  nationality  of  his 
father." 

"  This  question  being  settled,  you  may  secure  May- 
field  for  me  on  the  best  possible  terms.  What  do  you 
think  it  is  worth  ?  " 

"Land  so  near  the  metropolis,"  replied  Goldsmith, 
"  is  usually  valued  at  one  hundred  pounds  per  acre. 
There  are  about  one  thousand  acres  in  the  property; 
this  would  amount  to  one  hundred  thousand  pounds; 
but  —  " 

At  this  point  Brandon  broke  in. 

"  One  hundred  thousand  pounds !  half  a  million  of 
our  money,  and  in  gold  at  that !     Gracious  powers  !  " 


308  THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"Why,  surely,  Brandon,"  said  Carew,  laughing, 
"you  do  not  propose  to  estimate  the  value  of  land  in 
one  of  the  oldest  counties  in  England,  by  comparing  it 
to  a  Louisiana  swamp  ?  Still,  I  must  say  that  I  do  not 
think  Mayfield  can  be  justly  valued  at  this  high  price, 
for  it  is  greatly  depreciated  by  reason  of  its  neglected 
condition;  it  will  require  a  moderate  fortune  to  put 
everything  to  rights." 

"  I  was  going  on  to  say,"  replied  Goldsmith,  "  when 
interrupted  by  Mr.  Brandon,  that  Mayfield,  for  the  very 
reasons  you  have  just  given,  cannot  possibly  be  worth 
more  than  half  the  sum  mentioned.  I  even  think  it 
can  be  had  for  less  than  half,  for  I  have  a  strong  sus- 
picion that  there  are  some  questions  of  entail  which 
may  arise  against  making  a  title  to  any  one  but  yourself. 
Be  this  as  it  may,  you  can  rely  upon  my  best  exertions 
in  your  interest,  Mr.  Carew,  for  I,  in  some  sense,  regard 
myself  as  being  a  retainer  of  your  family." 

Carew  expressed  his  acknowledgments  for  tliis  ex- 
pression of  good  will  on  the  part  of  the  old  gentleman, 
in  fitting  terms.     Goldsmith  continued : 

"  There  is  one  little  matter  which  may  be  attended 
to  now,  and  that  is,  to  make  an  ai^plication  to  have 
3'our  arms  registered  at  the  Herald's  College,  for 
whether  3-0U  get  your  titles  or  not,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  as  to  your  right  to  bear  the  arms  of  your  ances- 
tors." 

"  I  do  bear  them.    Why  then  is  this  step  necessary?" 

"It  is  a  formality  which  you  will  have  to  go 
tlirough  with  in  order  to  enjoy  the  right  in  England. 
You  will  be  liable  to  a  fine,  if  you  do  not  get  them 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  309 

registered  as  being  in  your  right.  In  America  you 
could,  of  course,  dispense  with  this  formality." 

"  Very  well,  Mr.  Goldsmith ;  do  as  you  think  best. 
I  should  tliink  however,  it  would  be  best  to  either  wait 
a  while,  or  have  the  arms  registered  simply  in  the  name 
of  Thomas  Carew,  else  my  pretensions  to  the  Earldom 
might  leak  out  and  thus  affect  the  opportunity  of 
purchasing  Mayfield  at  a  reasonable  price." 

Goldsmith  appeared  to  be  struck  by  this  view,  and 
after  some  reflection,  replied  to  the  effect  that  Carew 
was  right  and  he  would  postpone  action  for  the  present. 
He  then  took  his  leave,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting 
his  client's  petition  that  very  morning. 

"  Well,  Brandon,  here  is  a  pretty  mess !  "  exclaimed 
our  hero  to  the  secretary,  as  they  were  left  alone. 

"What  is  the  matter;  has  something  gone  wrong?" 

"Did  you  not  hear  what  Goldsmith  said? — but  no, 
you  were  not  present  at  the  time  — he  said  I  must  not 
leave  London,  not  even  to  spend  a  day  at  Mayfield; 
that  my  presence  may  be  required  at  any  time.  Is  it 
not  vexatious  ?  " 

"  You  will  have  to  make  the  best  of  it,"  answered 
Brandon.  "  I  do  not  think  it  wdll  take  very  long  to 
get  this  affair  settled  satisfactorily;  your  case  is  per- 
fectl}"  clear  of  difiiculties,  and  you  have  all  the  proofs 
at  hand  necessary  to  establish  your  pretensions." 

"  Well,  w^e  will  spend  our  time  by  first  calling  on 
Mr.  Goldsmith  every  morning,  and  then  devoting  the 
remainder  of  the  day  to  the  exploration  of  London ; 
this  will  suit  your  tastes,  Brandon.  I  shall  not  be 
surprised  if  we  succeed  at  last  in  making  a  thorough 
Englishman  of  you." 


310  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  The  more  I  see  of  London,"  answered  the  other, 
*'  the  more  am  I  lost  in  wonder  and  admiration.  There 
is  an  air  of  solid  majesty  about  it  which  is,  to  my  mind, 
most  impressive.  The  mere  aggregation  in  so  small  a 
space  of  nearly  four  millions  of  human  souls,  is  in 
itself  a  wonderful  circumstance;  it  is  difficult  to  con- 
ceive how  so  many  beings  can  be  fed,  clothed,  housed, 
and  well-governed;  yet  it  is  done,  and  the  city  is  not 
only  a  healthy  one,  but  is  the  cheapest  great  city  in  the 
world.  I  have,  all  my  life,  echoed  in  my  heart  this 
aspiration  of  Justice  Shallow's  Davy  — '  I  hope  to  see 
London  ere  I  die.'  " 

"  I  may  assume,  therefore,  that  you  are  now  ready  to 
die?"  said  Carew,  interrogatively. 

"  Not  just  yet,  for  I  cannot,  up  to  tliis  time,  properly 
affirm  that  I  have  seen  London." 

"  There  is  much  truth  in  your  reply,"  said  Carew, 
*'  but  for  that  matter,  you  may  consider  yourself  as 
being  practically  immortal,  because  if  you  are  not  to 
die  till  you  have  seen  the  whole  of  London,  your 
existence  will  only  terminate  when  Macaulay's  New 
Zealander  makes  his  appearance  on  the  ruins  of  London 
bridge.  However,  let  us  sally  forth  and  see  as  much  of 
this  monster  as  we  can  to-day. 

"  You  are  evidently  anxious  to  shorten  my  immortal- 
ity, as  you  call  it,  by  one  day  at  least,"  said  Brandon. 

Carew  laughed.  In  such  manner  did  the  two  fast 
friends  spend  the  time  for  something  more  than  a 
month,  without  anythii]g  having  developed  in  the  mat- 
ter of  the  Earldom  and  otlier  titles ;  until  one  evening, 
when  this  space  of  time,  as  above  stated,  had  elapsed. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  311 

Goldsmith  rushed  into  Carew's  room,  where  he  and 
Brandon  were  quietly  conversing,  in  a  breathless  condi- 
tion, and  excitedly  thrust  into  the  hand  of  his  client  a 
paper  on  which  was  written  the  following  words : 

{"  Copy  of  extract  from  the  Attorney  General's  Report "). 
"  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  petitioner  has  shown 
sufficient  evidence  of  his  right  to  the  dignities  of  Earl 
of  May  field,  Baron  Carew  of  Gracedieu,  and  a  Baronet 
of  Great  Britain. 

("Signed),  "Maziere  Brady." 

"  Hip !  hip !  hurrah ! "  cried  Brandon  enthusiastically, 
catching  up  and  throwing  his  hat  into  the  chandelier, 
where  it  stuck,  much  to  his  discomfiture  and  the 
amusement  of  the  others. 

"  Do  you  consider  this  action  of  the  Attorney  Gen- 
eral, decisive  ?  "  queried  Carew. 

"  I  do,"  answered  the  solicitor.  "  Within  the  week 
you  will,  I  am  sure,  receive  a  summons  to  take  your 
seat  in  the  House  of  Lords." 

"  From  whom  will  it  come  ?  " 

"  From  the  Lord  Chancellor,  who  will,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  House,  have  read  to  you,  a  writ  from  the 
Sovereign;  after  which  you  will  take,  first,  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  and  secondly,  your  seat  as  a  peer  of  the 
realm." 

*'  Meanwhile,  there  is  nothing  for  me  to  do  ?  " 

"Nothing,  my  lor —  I  mean,  Mr.  Carew,"  said  Mr. 
Goldsmith  quickly,  a  little  confused. 

"  Come,  come,"  said  our  hero,  "  there  need  be  no 


312  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

ceremony  between  us,  Mr.  Goldsmith ;  to  you  I  shall 
ever  be  plain  Thomas  Carew,  and  at  your  service." 

The  old  man  bowed  low  at  this  compliment.  Before 
he  could  reply,  Carew  continued : 

"  We  must  maintain  this  happy  occasion  with  some 
state.  Brandon,  ring  the  bell  and  order  a  bottle  of  the 
best  wine  in  the  house,  for  us  to  drink  to  the  health 
and  future  prosperity  of  Mr.  Goldsmith,  for  without 
his  assistance,  it  is  not  at  all  likely  that  I  should  have 
ever  become  a  peer  of  England." 

"You  give  me  too  much  credit;  the  knowledge  of 
your  rights  would  have  come  to  your  ears,  sooner  or 
later,"  answered  the  solicitor,  modestly. 

At  this  moment,  the  wine  was  brought  in,  and  the 
three  fi'iends  discussed  it  right  merrily,  pledging  anew 
their  friendship  and  forming  many  plans  for  a  new 
mode  of  life  at  May  field. 

"  Speaking  of  Mayfield,  by  the  way,"  said  Goldsmith, 
"I  forgot  to  mention  that  I  received  a  written  offer  on 
yesterday  from  the  parties  in  interest,  offering  to  sell 
the  estate  for  forty  thousand  pounds ;  fifteen  thousand 
down,  and  the  remainder  to  lie  as  a  mortgage  on  the 
property,  indefinitely.  I  thought  it  best  to  remind 
them  in  my  reply,  that  there  might  be^  considerable 
difficult}'  on  their  part  in  perfecting  the  titles,  should  a 
legitimate  heir  of  the  late  earl  aj)pear  on  the  tapis. 
This  shot  has  evidently  alarmed  them,  for  I  was 
waited  on  by  Mr.  Johnson,  this  morning,  and  in 
response  to  my  letter,  he  stated  that  though  not  be- 
lieving in  the  possibility  of  an  heir  to  the  late  earl, 
or  in  his  ability  to  give  trouble  even,  should  he  appear, 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  313 

still,  that  the  parties  in  interest  are  sick  of  the  pro- 
longed litigation  now  in  progress  for  nearly  half  a 
century,  and  are  anxious  to  sell.  All  things  considered, 
therefore,  I  have  offered  them  thirty  thousand  pounds 
for  the  property,  ten  thousand  pounds  to  be  paid  in 
cash,  and  the  remainder  to  be  arranged  after  consulta- 
tion with  my  principal;  meaning,  of  course,  yourself. 
Do  you  approve  of  this,  sir  ?  " 

"  I  do,  with  the  exception  of  the  payments  you  have 
stipulated  for.  I  prefer  to  pa}^  the  entire  sum  in  cash. 
Perhaps  you  can  get  something  of  a  reduction  on  these 
terms." 

Goldsmith  opened  his  eyes  at  this  and  whistled. 

''I  see  you  are  surprised  at  the  magnitude  of  my 
resources.  I  am  indeed  worth  a  very  much  larger  sum 
than  this,  and  purpose  putting  Mayfield  in  perfect  order 
at  once.     The  old  palace  must  be  fully  restored." 

"Well,  sir,  your  commands  shall  be  obeyed.  I 
expect  to  be  able  to  place  the  titles  for  the  estate 
in  your  hands  in  a  few  days." 

"  And,  on  my  part,  I  am  ready  this  instant  to  draw 
a  check  for  the  purchase-money,"  ansAvered  Carew. 

It  was  now  late,  and  the  solicitor  withdrew.  Two 
days  after  the  occurrence  of  this  conversation,  as 
Carewwas  sitting  in  his  rooms  alone  —  for  Brandon  had 
gone  out  to  make  some  purchases  —  a  servant  came  to 
the  door  and  was  about  to  enter,  when  Sebastian  inter- 
cepted, and  took  from  him  the  salver  and  card  which  it 
held,  saying : 

"See  here  now,  no  man  waits  on  him  but  me. 
You  'so  been  comin'  in  here  too  free  ob  late,  sir." 


314  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

Then  ensued  some  high  words,  followed  by  a  slight 
scuffle  between  the  men,  during  which  they  tumbled 
against  the  door,  forcing  it  open. 

"What  does  this  mean?"  said  Carew  indignantly, 
and  coming  forward. 

The  man,  white  with  passion,  said  by  way  of  apology : 

"'Twas  the  himperence  of  the  nagur,  sir,  which 
made  me  'it  him." 

"  What  have  you  said  to  him,  Sebastian  ?  " 

The  boy  related  the  cause  of  the  trouble,  and  was 
severely  reprimanded  by  his  master  for  interfering 
with  the  servant  of  the  hotel  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duty. 

"  Now,"  continued  he,  "  as  an  evidence  of  your  mis- 
behaviour, here  is  some  one  kept  waiting  below  on  your 
account.     Hand  me  the  card." 

The  boy  picked  it  up  from  the  floor;  as  he  gave  it  to 
his  master,  the  hotel  waiter  remarked : 

"Ye '11  be  mad  enough,  sur,  when  ye  knows  ye're 
a  keepin'  the  Dook  a  waitin',  sur." 

Carew  read  the  card ;  on  it  were  engraved  these 
words : 


"  Good  heavens  !  "  exclaimed  he  ;  "  the  very  head 
and  front  of  the  English  aristocracy.  Show  his  Grace 
up  instantly,  you  scoundrel  I  Why  did  you  not  tell  me 
before,  who  was  in  waiting  ?  " 

Muttering  something  about  its  "  bein'  the  nagur's 
fault,  sur,"  the  man  hastily  withdrew,  and  returned 
in  a  few   moments,    followed   by   the    Duke.      Carew 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  315 

concluded,  after  a  hasty  reflection,  that  'twas  best  to  say 
•nothing  of  the  detention  to  which  his  Grace  had  been 
subjected,  as  the  explanation  might  give  more  offence 
than  had  the  delay.  He  therefore  contented  himself 
with  giving  his  illustrious  visitor  the  easy,  frank  greet- 
ing due  from  one  gentleman  to  another. 

This  Prince  of  England's  nobles  advanced  with 
unaffected  grace,  and  grasped  Carew's  proffered  hand 
with  quiet  cordiality,  saying: 

"  Cousin  Carew  —  for  I  claim  to  be  your  relative,  in 
virtue  of  the  intermarriage  of  one  of  your  forefathers 
with  a  lady  of  my  house.  I  repeat,  therefore.  Cousin, 
I  have  called  to-day  to  make  your  acquaintance,  and 
also,  to  inform  you,  in  my  official  capacity  as  Earl 
Marshal,  that  you  will  shortly — in  fact,  on  any  day 
•after  to-morrow  which  pleases  yourself — be  expected 
to  take  your  seat  in  the  Upper  House,  as  the  Earl  of 
Mayfield." 

Thus  saying,  the  Duke  released  Carew's  hand  and 
with  easy  grace  took  a  chair,  amusing  himself  at  the 
same  time  with  a  nosegay  taken  from  the  table  by  his 
side ;  he  did  this  in  order  to  avoid  observing  Carew's 
natural  confusion  and  embarrassment,  on  hearing  such 
an  announcement  for  the  first  time. 

Our  hero's  cheek  flushed  crimson ;  his  breast  heaved, 
and  for  some  minutes  he  could  not  even  attempt  to 
speak.  He  took  several  turns  about  the  room  before 
he  could  trust  himself;  and  even  then,  it  was  only  with 
broken  words  that  he  could  thank  the  Duke,  both  for 
being  the  bearer  of  welcome  news  as  well  as  for  the 
cordial  grace  with  whicli  he  claimed  alliance  with  him 
as  a  kinsman. 


316  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

The  Duke  did  not  make  a  long  call ;  he  could  easily 
perceive  that  Carew  would  feel  much  better  if  left 
alone.  After,  therefore,  having  an  understanding  to 
the  effect  that  he  would  call  for  him  on  the  next  day 
but  one,  at  three  in  the  afternoon,  and  present  him  to 
the  Lord  Chancellor,  his  Grace  departed. 

Brandon  and  Goldsmith,  soon  after  this  visit  entered 
together,  having  met  in  the  street.  The  latter  came  to 
give  his  client  the  information  which  had  already  been 
communicated  by  the  Duke.  The  good  man  was  both 
astonished  and  delighted  at  the  kindness  of  his  Grace. 

"  You  are  both  from  the  same  county,  you  see ;  his 
Grace  wishes  to  be  polite  to  his  future  neighbor. 
You  have,  of  course,  often  heard  of  his  noble  seat  at 
Arundel?" 

Carew  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  added  that  he 
had  just  received  an  invitation  to  spend  Christmas  week 
at  the  castle. 

"  Which  you  of  course  accepted,"  cried  both  of  his 
auditors  in  a  breath. 

"No,  I  did  not;  the  fact  is,  I  must  go  to  Italy  as 
soon  as  I  am  free  to  leave  England ;  I  could  not  allow 
any  business  of  a  merely  social  nature  to  interfere  with 
an  important  mission  which  I  have  to  fulfill  in  that 
country." 

His  Grace  of  Norfolk  was  punctual  to  the  minute, 
for  the  great  clock  in  the  tower  of  the  Abbey  sounded 
three,  as  his  carriage  stopped  at  the  entrance  to  Carew's 
hotel,  on  the  day  appointed  for  the  latter  to  go  through 
the  forms  necessary  to  enable  him  to  take  his  seat  in 
the  serene  atmosphere  of  the  Upper  House. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  317 

Without  delay,  for  time  was  precious,  both  gentle- 
men entered  the  carriage  and  were  rapidly  driven  over 
the  short  distance  which  intervened  between  the  hotel 
and  the  peer's  entrance  to  the  House.  Here  they 
descended,  the  Duke  rapidly  leading  the  way;  they 
ascended  one  flight  of  white  marble  stairs,  with  an 
elegant  bronze  rail,  and  went  still  forward;  Carew's 
heart  beat  violently  as  he  saw  they  were  approaching 
the  gorgeous  chamber  of  the  House  of  Lords. 

"Do  we  enter  without  preliminaries  of  any  kind," 
said  he  in  a  low  tone,  for  there  were  numbers  of  per- 
sons in  the  corridor,  passing  to  and  fro. 

"Yes,"  replied  the  Duke  in  a  whisper,  "the  Lord 
Chancellor  presides,  you  know,  in  the  Upper  House, 
and  you  must  go  before  him.  Now  remember,"  contin- 
ued he,  as  they  reached  the  entrance  to  the  magnificent 
chamber,  "  that  you  are  to  bow  to  the  throne,  on  the 
right,  as  we  enter ;  the  rest  is  nothing." 
•  Thus  speaking,  the  Duke  removed  his  hat,  Carew 
did  the  same,  and  they  walked,  now  arm  in  arm,  to  the 
wool-sack,  placed  about  the  middle  of  the  room,  where 
the  Lord  Chancellor  was  seated,  as  the  House  was  in 
session. 

The  Duke  of  Norfolk  halted  before  this  high  offi- 
cial, and  said :  "  I  have  the  honor  to  present  to  your 
Lordship,  my  cousin,  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  Thomas 
Carew,  Earl  of  Mayfield ;  Baron  Carew,  of  Gracedieu, 
and  a  Baronet  of  Great  Britain." 

The  Lord  Chancellor  bowed,  first  to  the  Duke,  then 
to  Carew,  and  beckoned  the  clerk  at  his  side  to  read 
the  writ  of  summons,  of  which,  as  it  was  lengthy,  we 
shall  only  copy  the  conclusion. 


318  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

It  was  addressed  to  the  "  Right  Honorable  Thomas 
Carew,  Earl  of  Maytield,  etc.,"  and  ended  as  follows : 

"We  strictly  enjoin  you,  under  the  faith  and  alle- 
giance you  owe  us,  to  take  your  place  in  person  among 
the  prelates  and  peers  sitting  in  our  Parliament  at 
Westminster,  to  the  end  that  you  give  us  your  advice, 
in  all  honor  and  conscience,  upon  the  affairs  of  the 
kingdom  and  the  church." 

This  reading  ended,  the  Lord  Chancellor  said: 
"  Administer  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  his  Lordship." 

This  done,  the  Lord  Chancellor  then  rose  and  said : 
"  Sir  Thomas  Carew,  Earl  of  Mayfield ;  Baron  Carew, 
of  Gracedieu,  and  a  Baronet  of  Great  Britain,  take 
your  seat,  and  be  welcomed  among  your  peers,  the  lords 
spiritual  and  temporal  of  Great  Britain." 

The  Duke  gently  led  the  new  peer  to  a  bench  covered 
with  crimson  velvet,  on  which  he  now  took  his  seat  as 
"  Earl  of  Mayfleld." 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  319 

CHAPTER    XXVII. 

OLD    FRIENDS    AND    OLD    PLACES. 

LORD  MAYFIELD,  as  we  must  now  term  our  hero, 
was  for  some  days  after  his  reception  into  the 
peerage,  made  the  recipient  of  numberless  courtesies 
from  his  fellow-nobles  in  the  shape  of  calls,  followed 
by  endless  invitations  to  dinners  in  town,  and  to  join 
in  the  approaching  Christmas  festivities  at  various 
country  seats. 

Among  other  honors,  he  went  through  the  form  of 
presentation  at  Court.  The  Duke  of  Norfolk  kindly 
presented  him  to  the  Queen,  who  was  graciously 
pleased  to  honor  the  new  peer  with  a  few  moments  of 
conversation  before  permitting  him  to  retire  from  her 
presence. 

His  lordship  had  to  return  these  calls  before  he  could 
decently  leave  London  to  make  the  long-deferred  trip 
to  Italy ;  he  also  had  various  pressing  matters  of  busi- 
ness to  transact  with  Mr.  Goldsmith,  whom  he  now 
formally  appointed  as  his  agent,  with  full  powers  to  act 
during  his  absence.  There  was  also  the  requisite  visit 
to  be  made  to  the  Herald's  College,  for  the  purpose  of 
having  his  arms  registered,  this  he,  however,  delegated 
to  Goldsmith,  to  perform  after  his  departure.  Then 
there  was  the  completion  of  the  purchase  of  Mayfield, 
which  was  now  consummated  for  the  sum  of  twenty- 
eight  thousand  pounds,  in  cash  —  two  thousand  pounds 


320  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

having  been  deducted  from  the  first  offer  of  thirty 
thousand  —  in  consideration  of  the  whole  amount  of 
the  purchase  being  paid  on  the  day  of  transfer  of  the 
property. 

Brandon,  too,  had  his  hands  full,  for  he  was  dis- 
patched to  Mayfield  to  take  charge  of  the  estate  in  the 
name  of  his  employer;  he  was  also  commissioned  to  at 
once  employ  several  able  architects  to  draw  plans  for 
the  immediate  restoration  of  the  old  Palace,  and  to  add 
such  modern  improvements  as  were  compatible  with  its 
style  of  architecture. 

His  lordship  was  peremptory  in  his  orders,  however, 
to  have  the  old  hall  carefully  restored  to  its  ancient 
state.  He  wished  this  to  be  done  the  first  thing,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  directed  that  a  suite  of  elegant 
sleeping  apartments  to  be  fitted  up  for  occupancy  at 
as  early  a  day  as  possible,  for  he  was  determined  to 
take  up  his  residence  at  Mayfield,  even  before  the  con- 
templated improvements  were  completed. 

An  area  of  five  hundred  acres  around  the  Palace  was 
to  be  re-erected  into  a  park,  as  of  old;  such  buildings 
as  might  be  found  in  the  way  were  ordered  to  be 
removed,  or  demolished ;  the  old  park  walls  were  to  be 
immediately  restored — this  was  not  difficult  or  ex- 
pensive, as  most  of  the  walls  still  remained  and  only 
needed  repairs  —  the  old  entrance  gates  were  to  be  torn 
down  and  a  stone  barbacan  constructed  in  their  room, 
with  towers  at  each  angle,  emblazoned  on  both  fronts 
with  the  arms,  crest  and  motto  of  the  noble  owner  to  be 
carved  in  stone,  and  the  shield  to  be  surmounted  with 
an  earl's  coronet;  this  barbacan  was  to  be  so  arranged 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  321 

as  to  serve  for  the  residence  of  the  gate-keeper.  The 
earl  himself  spent  a  couple  of  days  at  Mayfield,  going 
over  the  ground  and  issuing  many  orders. 

"  And  now,  Brandon,"  said  he,  as  they  took  a  hasty 
meal  at  their  former  quarters  in  the  "  Rose  and  Crown," 
previous  to  catching  the  train  for  London,  "  come  with 
me,  as  I  may  have  some  further  instructions  for  you 
before  lea\dng  for  Itaty." 

"You  are  not  going  alone,  are  you?" 

"  Yes,  I  will  even  leave  Sebastian  here  with  you ;  he 
may  be  of  some  use.  You  are  aware  that  I  am  exceed- 
ingly anxious  to  have  a  portion,  at  least,  of  the  Palace  in 
a  habitable  condition  as  soon  as  possible." 

"  This  extreme  solicitude  about  apartments,"  re- 
marked the  secretary,  "indicates  that  you  may  not 
return  alone !  " 

"  I  assuredly  will  not  return  alone  if  I  can  find  a 
certain  person,  you  wot  of,  and  can  induce  her  to  come 
with  me ! " 

"Ah!  I  thought  so.  Well,  old  fellow,  I  wish  you 
success  with  all  my  heart.  You  might  go  a  great  deal 
farther  and  fare  worse." 

"  The  happiest  day  of  my  life  will  be  that  on  which 
I  can  hail  Mary  Stuart  as  Countess  of  Mayfield,"  an- 
swered the  earl,  "  and  now,  my  good  friend,  that  you 
fully  understand  my  anxiety,  press  on  these  repairs  and 
improvements  to  some  kind  of  completion.  I  hope 
your  zeal  will  not  slacken." 

"  Of  that  you  may  rest  assured,"  answered  his  faith- 
ful friend;  "but  it  is  high  time  we  were  off  for  the 
train." 

20 


322  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  Yes,  sir,  it  is,"  said  the  landlord,  who  now  entered. 
Bowing  obsequiously  to  the  earl,  he  continued:  "My 
lord,  your  carriage  is  ready." 

The  friends  went  to  their  former  quarters  in  the 
metropolis,  where,  on  descending  from  the  cab,  old 
Goldsmith  came  to  the  door  to  meet  them,  having  been 
telegraphed  to  from  Wadhurst  of  their  expected  arrival. 
He  looked  somewhat  anxious  as  he  greeted  the  gentle- 
men, and  at  once  handed  a  cable  message  to  the  earl, 
who  felt  instinctively  something  was  wrong,  and  did 
not  have  courage  enough  to  read  it  until  he  got  within 
the  hotel,  though  trying  to  re-assure  himself  by  the 
reflection  that  some  friend  in  America  had  heard  of  his 
good  fortune  and  cliose  this  method  of  congratulation. 

Lord  Mayfield  now  opened  the  envelope,  and  read  a 
message  from  Whitefield  announcing  the  death  of  Ran- 
dolph, and  requesting  the  immediate  return  of  Carew, 
as  he  called  the  earl,  not  having  yet  heard  of  his  eleva- 
tion to  the  peerage. 

Our  hero  sank  into  a  chair,  pale  as  death,  and  silently 
handed  the  telegram  to  Brandon,  who  hastily  read  and 
gave  it  to  Goldsmith,  informing  him,  in  a  few  words, 
of  Randolph's  position  as  the  manager  of  "  Court 
Lodge,"  and  also  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  he 
had  been  held  by  his  employer. 

"  Thus  it  is  with  our  frail  humanity,"  said  the  earl, 
pi  a  low  voice ;  ''  when  we  mount  the  crest  of  a  pros- 
perous wave,  and  fortune  sits  smiling  on  our  brows,  we 
are  but  too  apt  to  forget  there  is  an  intervening  hollow 
between  us  and  the  next  billow,  and  that  we  must 
inevitably  sink  before  being  carried  up  again ! 


THE    EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD.  323 

"  This  misfortune,  nay,  'tis  more,  this  calamity,  has 
overtaken  me  while  apparently  elevated  above  all  possi- 
liility  of  reach  from  adversity.  Truly  does  God  dispose 
as  He  wills  I  we  must  submit !  " 

"My  dear  friend,"  said  Brandon,  "you  bear  this 
trial  nobly ;  you  should  also  remember  that  Mr.  Ran- 
dolph was  an  old  man,  in  the  due  course  of  nature  he 
could  not  have  lived  much  longer.  He  has  fought  a 
good  fight,  and  now  has  his  reward !  " 

'■'  You  are  right.  I  grieve  not  for  him,  but  for  his 
family,  his  friends,  and  for  myself." 

Goldsmith  was  silent ;  condolence  was  so  difficult  to 
offer  in  an  acceptable  shape,  that  he  judged  it  best  to 
let  nature  assert  itself. 

After  a  long  silejice,  during  which  each  was  absorbed 
in  his  own  painful  reflections,  the  old  man  thought  he 
might  venture  to  break  the  current  of  bitter  thought 
flowing  through  the  mind  of  the  earl;  he  therefore 
addressed  him  — 

"  Should  not  an  answer  be  sent  to  this  telegram  ?  It 
is  evidently  considered  of  importance  that  you  return 
at  once  to  America." 

This  produced  the  desired  effect,  for  Carew  —  or 
Mayfield,  rather — was  a  man  of  much  energy  and 
decision.  He  saw  at  once  that  action  was  important. 
He  said: 

"  You  are  right,  Mr.  Goldsmith,  this  telegram  must 
be  answered  without  loss  of  time !  Brandon,  go  at 
once  and  telegraph  to  Whitefield,  sajdng  that  I  will 
leave  for  New  Orleans  on  the  first  steamer.  I  will  go 
to  Liverpool  in  the  morning  and  will  probably  find  a 
steamer  sailing  for  New  York  to-morrow. 


324  THE    EARL    OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D. 

"  Mr.  Goldsmith,  I  leave  all  my  affairs  here  in  your 
hands,  3^ou  are  already  well  apprised  of  my  intentions 
and  desires;  Brandon  shall  go  to  Mayfield,  and  will 
be  of  great  assistance  to  you.  I  will-  take  Sebastian 
with  me ;  it  would  be  hardly  fair  to  keep  him  from  his 
wife,  though  I  should  much  prefer  leaving  him  here." 

Brandon  departed  on  his  errand  after  hearing  these 
words.  Goldsmith  expressed  a  perfect  willingness  to 
undertake  everytliing  that  was  required  of  him,  and 
then  asked  how  long  his  lordship  expected  to  be  away 
from  England.  The  latter  replied  that  he  would  return 
as  soon  as  possible,  but  he  feared  that  he  could  not  get 
back  for  two  months,  as  the  death  of  Randolph  had 
occurred  most  inopportunely  during  the  sugar  making 
season,  hence  the  anxiety  of  Whitefield  to  have  himself 
present;  he  continued:  ''I  shall  now  carry  out  the 
design  I  had  formed,  of  disposing  of  all  my  property  in 
America,  and  of  settling  in  Mayfield.  Randolph  had 
been  desirous  of  retiring  from  the  management  of 
Court  Lodge,  to  live  with  his  family,  from  whom  he 
was  separated  for  so  many  years,  poor  fellow.  I  have 
now  made  up  my  mind,  and  shall  only  remain  in  Louis- 
iana long  enough  to  put  everything  in  Whitefield's 
hands,  for  sale." 

Goldsmith  highly  approved  of  this  proposed  action, 
for,  as  he  well  remarked,  the  earl's  interests  were  now 
extensive  in  England.  It  was  his  natural  home,  and 
his  political  career,  did  he  so  choose,  might  soon  become 
a  brilliant  one ;  an  interest  of  such  magnitude  as  was 
the  sugar  estate,  not  to  mention  other  property,  sit- 
uated at  such  a  distance,  miglit  cause  much  trouble 
and  anxiety. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  325 

"  You  may  well  say  so,"  replied  his  auditor,  "  a  sugar 
plantation  is  about  as  troublesome  an  investment  as 
one  can  have,  and  such  men  as  Randolph  are  not  to  be 
found  every  da;f .  My  mind  is  made  up.  I  shall  sell 
every  dollar  of  property  in  the  United  States." 

As  he  was  to  take  an  early  train  in  the  morning  for 
Liverpool,  and  it  was  late,  Mr.  Goldsmith,  after  sha- 
king his  patron  warmly  by  the  hand,  and  wishing  him  a 
speedy  and  safe  voyage,  left  for  his  own  home. 

As  may  be  easily  imagined,  Sebastian,  though  much 
shocked  at  the  death  of  Randolph,  was  on  the  other 
hand,  so  delighted  on  being  told  they  were  to  sail  for 
home  on  the  morrow,  that  it  may  be  questioned  as  to 
whether  the  boy  was  not  rather  more  pleased  than 
grieved  at  the  death  of  the  poor  old  manager  which,  at 
any  rate,  blew  a  good  wind  for  him. 

Brandon  was  up  early  to  see  his  friend  off,  and  even 
wished  to  accompany  him  as  far  as  Liverpool,  but  as 
the  earl  had  made  an  engagement  for  him  to  meet 
Goldsmith  that  morning,  and  thence  to  proceed  at  once 
to  Mayfield  and  superintend  operations  there,  this 
could  not  be  done ;  they  therefore  parted  at  the  railway 
station,  with  many  expressions  of  good  will  on  both 
sides. 

We  will  not  trouble  the  reader  with  the  description 
of  another  sea  voyage,  but  will  transport  the  scene 
directly  to  Carew's  (we  must  call  him  Carew  again, 
while  in  the  United  States,  he  having  determined  to 
travel  under  the  only  name  by  which  he  was  known 
there,)  house  in  New  Orleans,  briefly  stating,  en  passant^ 
that  he  stopped  a  day  at  Rochester,  in  New  York,  for  the 


326  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

purpose  of  offering  his  sympathy,  and  assistance  also  if 
needed,  to  Randolph's  family.  These  good  people  while 
being  of  course  much  distressed  at  the  death  of  the 
husband  and  father,  did  not  feel  the  poignant  grief 
usual  on  such  occasions,  because  of  the  long  separation 
which  had  existed  for  so  many  years. 

Carew  therefore  was  glad  to  get  away,  and  promised 
to  send  to  the  mother  without  delay,  all  the  accumu- 
lated savings  of  Randolph,  which  were  in  his  hands, 
and  amounted  to  about  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

We  may  as  well  state  while  in  this  connection,  that 
our  hero  not  only  remitted  the  amount  above  men- 
tioned immediately  after  arriving  in  New  Orleans,  but 
added  to  it  from  his  own  pocket,  the  sum  of  ten  thou- 
sand dollars. 

When  Carew,  accompanied  by  Sebastian,  alighted  at 
the  door  of  his  residence  in  New  Orleans,  he  found 
Whitefield  waiting  to  receive  him,  as  he  had  a  telegram 
that  morning  from  Carew,  stating  at  what  hour  he 
would  reach  home.  After  a  hearty  welcome,  Whitefield 
said  reproachfully, 

"  Why  has  not  the  Earl  of  May  field  thought  enough 
of  an  old  and  tried  friend,  to  confide  the  wonderful 
story  of  his  change  of  fortunes  to  him  ? '' 

"  Ah !  Whitefield ;  you  have  found  me  out." 

"  Yes ;  no  thanks  to  you,  however !  You  need  not 
be  so  astonished  at  my  possessing  the  news,  for  it  has 
been  in  every  newspaper  in  the  land ;  but  you  have 
omitted  to  let  me  know  why  I  was  not  in  your 
confidence  ?  " 

"  That  is  easily  explained,  and  I  hope  to  your  full 


TUE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  327 

satisfaction.  When  I  left  for  England,  I  really  had 
little  or  nothing  to  communicate ;  my  information  did 
not  extend  beyond  the  fact  of  knowing  myself  to  be 
connected  with  the  Carews  of  Mayfield;  therefore,  I 
thought  it  best  to  keep  the  whole  matter  secret,  for  if 
successful,  it  would,  as  it  has  been  according  to  your 
own  statement,  be  blazed  to  the  world  immediately  ;  but 
if  a  failure,  I  would  have  had  mortification  enough  to 
endure  without  having  to  bear,  in  addition,  the  laughter 
of  my  friends,  and  the  contempt  of  enemies.  There 
was  also  another  reason  for  keeping  it  from  your 
knowledge,  viz:  You  are  such  a  fierce  republican, 
Whitefield,  that  I  was  afraid,  lest  you  might  not  esteem 
the  Earl  of  Mayfield  so  highly  as  you  did  poor  Thomas 
Carew." 

"  Well,  well ;  republican  I  am,  to  the  back  bone,  'tis 
true  ;  but,  nevertheless,  human  nature  is  weak,  Carew  — 
my  lord,  I  mean;  you  must  know,  therefore,  that  in 
common  with  many  other  republicans  —  I  dearly  love  a 
lord,  especially  when  he  is  an  old  friend  to  boot." 

"  I  see  that  I  am  forgiven ;  but  do  not,  I  entreat  you, 
call  me  by  any  other  name  than  Carew,  for  besides  our 
ancient  friendship,  which  entitles  you  to  treat  me  with 
the  familiarity  of  old,  you  must  understand  that  I 
am  travelling  in  this  country  as  Mr.  Carew  only." 

"Well,"  said  Whitefield  with  a  sigh.  ''You  must 
have  your  way,  I  suppose ;  but  I  was  in  hopes  of  hav- 
ing a  real  live  lord  to  dinner ;  Mrs.  Whitefield,  too,  is 
particularly  anxious  to  make  some  of  her  dear  friends 
miserable." 

"  I  will  come  to  dinner,"  said  Carew  laughing,  "  but 


328  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

not  as  the  earl.  Now  let  us  be  serious :  I  wish  to  know 
all  about  my  poor  old  friend  Randolph.  What  did  he 
die  of?     And  what  is  the  situation?" 

Whitefield  proceeded  to  tell  his  friend  of  the  circum 
stances  under  which  he  sent  for  him  to  return  to  Louis- 
iana.    We  will  condense  his  statements  for  the  benefit 
of  the  reader. 

Matters  at  Court  Lodge  had  gone  on  smoothly  until 
Randolph  was  taken  sick :  he  contracted  a  severe  cold 
during  the  sugar  making  season  ;  the  weather  had  been 
unsually  inclement  and  he  neglected  himself,  until  it 
was  too  late ;  Whitefield  did  not  even  hear  of  his 
illness  until  all  was  over. 

To  the  query,  as  to  the  present  state  of  affairs  at 
Court  Lodge,  Whitefield  replied,  that  he  had  returned 
from  there  on  the  preceding  day,  when  everything  was 
in  good  order  and  the  work  going  on  as  usual.  Bragdy, 
the  assistant  manager,  who  had  been  with  Randolph  for 
nearly  ten  years,  was  in  charge ;  he  was  a  steady, 
efficient  man. 

The  crop  was  nearly  all  converted  into  sugar ;  in  fact, 
Bragdy  informed  him  that  another  week  would  enable 
him  to  close  the  sugar  house ;  the  crop  was  a  good  one 
and  would  show  a  handsome  profit  for  the  year. 

"  This  is  all  very  satisfactory,"  said  Carew.  "lam 
infinitely  obliged  for  the  zeal  you  have  exhibited  in 
looking  after  my  interests." 

He  then  informed  his  friend  of  his  splendid  prospects 
in  England,  narrating  the  whole  history  of  his  family, 
and  winding  up  by  announcing  his  determination  of 
selling  out  his  American  interests  and  settling  in 
England  for  life. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  329 

Whitefield  listened  attentively,  and  while  a  feeling 
of  sadness  stole  over  him  at  the  thought  of  losing  this 
dear  friend,  yet  he  could  not  but  acknowledge  that 
Carew  took  the  proper  view  of  his  true  interests,  and 
he  could  therefore  interpose  no  objection. 

"  'Tis  a  pity  though  to  give  up  Court  Lodge,  still,  I 
do  not  believe  you  would  be  likely  to  have  much  of 
either  comfort  or  profit  from  it,  now  that  Randolph  is 
gone,  and  you  will  be  in  Europe  so  frequently.  This 
is  an  excellent  time  to  sell,  too,  the  crop  is  just  con- 
cluded ;  a  purchaser  could  make  all  of  his  own  arrange- 
ments and  contracts  for  another  year ;  it  is  also  a  favor- 
able time  to  sell,  because  country  property  has  risen  in 
value  in  this  State  during  the  year,  and  a  good  many 
Northern  and  Western  men,  are  looking  about  for 
desirable  plantations.  What  shall  we  ask  for  the 
property?" 

"It  pays  a  good  interest  on  two  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars;"  replied  Carew,  "get  as  near  these 
figures  as  you  can." 

"It  is  too  much,"  said  Whitefield.  "I,  myself,  think 
the  estate  worth  that  sum,  but  others  will  not  give  it." 

"  Well,  what  will  they  give  ?     It  must  be  sold  !  " 

"  I  think  from  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  to  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars  is  all  it  will  bring." 

"Then  sell  for  the  best  price  you  can  obtain;  I 
give  you  carte  blanche.  I  wish  also  to  sell  this  house  and 
other  city  real  estate ;  all  this  is  easily  arranged  how- 
ever, for  it  can  be  sold  at  auction.  There  are  various 
amounts  in  bonds,  and  also  money  at  interest  on  mort- 
gages; sell  the  former   and  call  in  the  latter,  every 


330  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

dollar  —  I  will  have  no  more  investments  in  America,  it 
is  too  far  off." 

"Gracious!  what  a  clean  sweep,"  said  poor  White- 
field,  with  a  woeful  countenance.  "Are  you  going  to 
give  us  the  go-by  entirely  ?    What  will  become  of  me  ?  " 

"  Oh !  that  is  easily  managed.  You  can  come  to 
Mayfield  every  summer,  and  if  you  should  take  a  fancy 
to  old  England,  I  have  no  doubt  we  can  find  some 
pleasant,  and  at  the  same  time,  profitable  occupation 
for  you." 

"  No,  no  ; "  said  Whitefield,  shaking  his  head.  "  I 
am  too  old  to  transplant ;  but,  I  will  coihe  to  Mayfield 
on  a  visit.     Yes,  that  I  will.     When  shall  I  come?" 

"  As  soon  as  you  like,  and  to  stay  as  long  as  you  like, 
my  dear  friend.  I  would  gladly  say  return  with  me, 
but  you  cannot  do  that,  as  you  have  my  interests  here 
in  charge." 

"I  will  come  next  summer,"  said  Whitefield,  thump- 
ing the  table  with  his  fist  to  give  force  to  the  expres- 
sion. 

"  Good !  it  is  a  bargain,  we  will  shake  hands  on  it 
and  clinch  the  argreement  in  a  bottle  of  wine,"  said 
Carew,  ringing  the  bell  to  order  it. 

The  wine  was  soon  brought  in,  and  after  its  discus- 
sion, with  more  pleasant  conversation,  the  friends  sepa- 
rated with  the  understanding  that  they  would  visit 
Court  Lodge  together  on  the  next  day. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  331 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 

EEMINISCENCES. 

WHITEFIELD  and  Carew  took  a  morning  boat 
for  Court  Lodge,  arriving  there  to  dinner. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  delineate  the  complicated 
feelings  which  agitated  the  breast  of  our  hero  on  this 
return  to  the  home  of  his  boyhood;  that  home  so 
endeared  to  him  by  a  thousand  recollections  and  asso- 
ciations of  joy,  and  also  of  sorrow.  The  scenes  of  the 
past  flitted  across  his  disturbed  fancies,  like  the  move- 
ment of  a  varied  panorama,  as  he  paced  up  and  down 
the  vast  hall,  now  dimly  lighted  by  the  declining  sun. 

His  father  and  mother !  Of  both  parents  he  had  a  dis- 
tinct recollection,  though  so  young  when  they  died. 
His  grand-parents !  His  childish  sister,  and  brother — 
fairy  phantoms  —  oh,  that  they  were  now  here  to  share- 
his  prosperity ! 

Boiseau !  Randolph !  All  these  forms  passed  before 
his  mind's  eye  in  solemn  procession.  And  now,  he  was 
about,  himself,  to  vanish  from  these  scenes,  so  conse- 
crated in  his  memory — forevermore  ! 

"  Am  I  in  the  right  ?  "  soliloquized  he.  "  Does  not 
duty  require  me  to  keep  this  place,  if  only  for  the  sake 
of  the  past?  Is  it  not  a  desecration  to  allow  rude 
strangers,  possessing  no  sympathies  for  me  or  mine,  to 
be  able  to  call  this  roof  their  own  ?  " 

A  door  opened  at  the  farther  end  of  the  hall,  with  a 


332  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

noise  most  startling  in  its  effects  on  the  strained  nerves 
and  imagination  of  Carew,  but  this  feeling  was  imme- 
diately dispelled  by  Whitefield's  cheerful  voice. 

"You  here,  alone,  and  in  the  dark? 

"Why  do  you  not  go  into  the  library?  there  is  both 
light  and  comfort ! 

"  I  always  thought  this  great  hall  —  except  on  festive 
occasions,  when  it  is  crowded  —  a  most  cheerless  place. 
Such  habitations  are  not  suited  to  our  modern  ideas  of 
comfort ! " 

"  It  is  endeared  to  me,  cheerless  as  you  think  it,  by 
countless  recollections,  and  it  warms  my  very  heart  to 
stand  in  it  once  more. 

"  I  was  just  thinking,  as  you  entered,  that  I  was, 
perhaps,  about  to  wrong  the  past,  in  parting  with  Court 
Lodge." 

"Ah!  Carew,  you  are  too  morbid  and  sensitive," 
replied  his  friend.  "  It  is  a  great  defect  in  your  char- 
acter to  be  thus  ever  moping  over  the  past ! 

"  The  past,  my  friend,  is  a  phantom  which  cannot  be 
resurrected  !  It  is  the  present  with  which  you  have 
to  deal,  and  as  you  perform  your  duty  to  the  living, 
so  shall  your  conscience  approve,  or  condemn,  as  you 
perform  that  duty  well  or  ill ! 

"  Now,  if  you  were  to  have  some  misgivings  as  to  the 
future,  you  might  stand  excused;  for  a  reasonable  — 
hark  you  —  only  a  reasonable  care  for  the  future,  is  the 
bounden  duty  of  every  well  constituted  mind  I  " 

"I  am  my  mother's  child,"  answered  Carew,  "and 
have  often  been  tempted  to  think  myself  somewhat 
imbued   with   the   fancies    and    feelings   which    more 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD 


333 


properly  belong  to  what  is  called  the  weaker  sex,  though 
frequently  this  epithet  is  unjustly  applied,  for  most 
women  are  more  courageous  in  mental  calamity  than 

men. 

"  But,  to  return  to  our  subject.     You  think,  then, 

that  I  am  justified  in  selling  this  place  ?  " 

"  I  do,  indeed  !  Every  sound  argument  points  in  this 
direction!  You  are  so  well  aware  of  the  business 
reasons  that  I  will  not  rehearse  them.  These  should 
suffice  in  themselves  for  any  ordinary  man ;  but  you 
are  not  an  ordinary  man,  your  mind  is  full  of  fancies 
about  duty  to  the  past,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing ! 

"  Now,  reduced  to  plain,  sober  English,  this  so-called 
duty  to  the  past,  means  simply,  a  tender  sympathy  for 
the  dead,  nothing  more.  Well,  for  that  matter,  have 
you  not  also  the  dead  in  England  to  think  of? 

»  There  are  whole  generations  of  your  noble  ances- 
tors, lying  uncared  for,  except  by  you. 

"  What  a  degenerate,  recreant  Carew  would  you  be, 
did  you  neglect  this  sacred  duty !  Even  if  you  were 
so  situated  as  to  be  compelled  to  elect  between  an 
abandonment  of  your  duty  to  the  past,  in  one  or  the 
other  country,  T  think  you  would  be  fully  justified  m 
looking  to  England  first. 

^'  But  you  are  not  placed  in  such  a  dilemma,  for  have 
you  not^  announced  your  intention— nay,  you  have 
already  given  instructions,  to  have  the  remains  of  your 
relations  in  America  transported  to  Mayfield,  there  to 
rest  in  the  common  sepulchre  of  your  race ! 

"Lastlv  — as  you  well  know  — it  was  your  father's 
intention,"  which  should  be  law  to  you,  to  return  to 
England ! 


334  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"What  lie  left  unperformed,  becomes  now  youi 
sacred  duty." 

Whitefield  paused,  breathless. 

"Enough!  "  cried  Carew;  "I  see  my  error;  you  are 
right,  my  friend.  I  thank  you  fervently,  for  this  sub- 
ject has  haunted  me  of  late.  I  will  now  dismiss  it  from 
my  thoughts,  and  go  manfully  forward  with  what  I 
have  to  do." 

Mr.  Bragdy,  the  former  assistant  to  Randolph,  but 
promoted  to  the  position  of  manager,  now  entered,  to 
submit  to  his  employer  his  accounts,  and  also  to  give 
him  full  information  as  to  the  present  condition  and 
prospects  of  the  estate.  As  this  person  was  an  old 
employ^,  and  had  been  zealously  seconded  in  his  labors 
by  Whitefield,  everything  was  found  to  be  in  a  most 
satisfactory  condition. 

Carew  then  took  Mr.  Bragdy  into  his  confidence,  and 
gave  him  a  brief  history  of  the  details  —  he  had  already 
heard  of  his  employer's  success  in  England,  from  both 
Whitefield  and  the  press — connected  with  his  elevation 
to  the  peerage,  telling  him,  in  addition,  of  the  purchase 
of  Mayfield,  and  of  his  final  determination  to  dispose 
of  Court  Lodge. 

Bragdy  was  loth  to  lose  his  old  employer  and  friend, 
but  could  not  help  acknowledging  the  expediency  of 
the  reasoning  which  had  prompted  the  indicated  line  of 
conduct.  He  remarked  that  he  did  not  think  there 
would  be  the  slightest  difficulty  in  disposing  of  the 
estate ;  he  rehearsed  most  of  the  reasons  alreadv  g^iven 
b}'  Whitefield  for  this  opinion,  and  also  remarked  that, 
the  property   being  well    known    for   its   beauty    and 


THE     EARL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  335 

productive  qualities,  would  cause  bidders  to  appear  the 
moment  it  was  placed  in  the  market.  He  said  in  con- 
clusion, that  Mr.  Treacle,  a  neighboring  planter  of 
wealth,  was  desirous  of  purchasing  another  estate  for 
one  of  his  sons,  who  was  on  the  point  of  being  mar- 
ried, and  if  agreeable  to  Mr.  Carew,  he  would  mention 
the  matter  to  him. 

"  Would  Mr.  Treacle  be  likely  to  retain  you  in  the 
management,  should  he  be  the  purchaser?"  asked 
Carew. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  think,  in  fact  I  am  quite  sure  he  would, 
for  he  made  an  attempt,  two  or  three  years  ago,  to  get 
me  to  take  a  situation  under  him,  which  I  declined, 
having  no  desire  to  leave  you." 

''  Thanks  for  your  good  opinion,"  responded  Carew. 
"  I  have  no  objection  to  3'our  telling  Mr.  Treacle  that 
the  estate  is  for  immediate  sale.  I  shall  be  much 
pleased  if  he  will  retain  you  in  your  present  position, 
in  the  event  of  becoming  a  purchaser. 

"I  shall,  however,  leave  all  these  matters  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Whitefield,  as  I  am  exceedingly  anxious 
to  return  to  Europe." 

"  When  do  you  think  of  going,  sir  ?  "  asked  Bragdy. 

*'  The  old  slaves  have  an  inkling  of  it  alread}^  as  well 
as  of  the  contemplated  sale  of  the  place  and  are  much 
disturbed  in  consequence  !  " 

"•  That  scamp,  Sebastian,  has  let  the  cat  out  of  the 
bag,"  said  Whitefield,  rubbing  his  nose  with  an  air  of 
vexation. 

"It  is  annoying,"  said  Carew:  "I  am  desirous  of 
getting  off  with  as  little  noise  as  possible ;  but  after 


336  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

all  it  would  not  be  right  to  go  without  bidding  them 
farewell.  When  can  you  give  them  a  holiday,  Mr 
Bragdy?" 

''  Well,  sir,  let  me  see  !  We  will  be  through  cutting 
the  cane  to-day,  and  will  finish,  barring  accidents, 
at  the  sugar  house  to-morrow  night.  I  could  give 
them  the  afternoon  of  the  day  after  to-morrow,  sir; 
ho-sy  will  that  do  ?  " 

"  It  will  have  to  do !  I  had  intended  leaving  to- 
morrow night,  but  will  defer  ni}-  departure  for  twenty- 
four  hours;  let  all  those  who  wish,  therefore,  come  to 
bid  me  adieu  at  the  time  you  propose." 

"  Very  good,  sir.  Have  you  any  further  orders,  as  I 
must  go  to  the  sugar  house  ?  " 

"  None,  Mr.  Bragdy  !  good  night." 

"  Good  night,  gentlemen  !  "  said  the  manager,  leaving. 

"  A  good  man  that,"  remarked  Whitefield. 

"  I  am  glad  you  think  so  I  I  have  always  had  a  high 
opinion  of  his  integrity  and  judgment.  I  sincerely 
hope  you  will  be  able  to  retain  him  in  his  present 
situation  ;  you  must  do  what  3^ou  can  for  him." 

"  I  will  endeavor  to  persuade  the  new  owner  to  keep 
him,"  answered  Whitefield.  '■'■  I  do  not  anticipate  much 
difficulty  on  that  score,  for  I  believe  Treacle  will  buy 
the  property." 

This  ended  the  conversation,  and  the  friends  sepa- 
rated for  the  night. 

The  whole  of  the  ensuing  day  was  spent  in  riding 
over  the  estate,  examining  accounts  and  superintending 
the  men,  two  of  whom  were  employed  in  making  up  an 
inventor}'  of  everything  on  the  estate,  which  Whitefield 
wished  Carew  to  have  before  his  departure. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  337 

In  the  evening  our  hero  announced  his  intention  of 
calling  on  the  widow  and  young  children  of  Boiseau. 
He  was  desirous  of  seeing  with  his  own  eyes  her  con- 
dition and  prospects,  intending  to  assist  her  if  neces- 
sary. Much  to  his  surprise,  Whitefield  told  him  that 
she  had  gone  to  Canada,  to  reside  with  her  husband's 
mother,  who  had  sent  for  her. 

"  Why  did  you  not  tell  me  this  before  ?  " 

"  It  escaped  me  for  the  moment,  and,  the  fact  is,  she 
has  not  been  long  gone. 

"  She  said  she  could  not  endure  to  live  in  sight  of  a 
spot  so  full  of  memories  of  her  husband,  Randolph,  and 
yourself;  for  she  considered  you  as  being  practically 
dead  to  her,  feeling  sure  you  would  never  again  reside 
at  Court  Lodge." 

"  I  would  have  given  much  to  see  her,  painful  as  it 
must  have  been.  You  can,  doubtless,  give  me  her 
address.  I  will  write  this  evening,  offering  my  assist- 
ance, either  now  or  hereafter,  as  she  may  need  it." 

''  Her  post  office  is  simply,  '  St.  Catherine's,'  in 
Canada ;  but,  as  for  assistance,  I  do  not  think  she 
needs  any. 

"  Boiseau  left  a  sniig  little  estate ;  and  besides,  had 
insured  his  life  in  her  favor  for  ten  thousand  dollars, 
w^hich  I  collected  for  her." 

"  How  much  of  it  did  you  retain  as  a  fee  ?  " 

"  Not  a  penny,"  said  Whitefield,  indignantly,  and 
then :  "  Ah !  stupid  that  I  am.  I  might  have  known 
you  were  only  quizzing  my  profession ;  you  are  always 
hard  on  the  lawyers,  Carew." 

"  I  can  quote  scripture  against  them." 
21 


338  THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

"  Well,  well ;  the  devil  is  not  as  black  ^  he  is 
painted,  you  know.'' 

"  Indeed,  I  do  know  it,  full  well,"  said  Carew,  rising 
and  grasping  his  friend  significantly  by  the  hand. 
"  And  now  I  must  bid  you  good-night,  for  I  wish  to 
write  this  letter  to  Mrs.  Boiseau." 

This  he  did,  and  at  length,  giving  her,  in  conclusion, 
his  address  in  Mayfield,  with  proffers  of  assistance  in 
the  future  for  herself  or  her  children. 

We  may  as  well  remark  here,  that  in  due  course,  he 
received  a  letter  at  Mayfield,  from  the  lady,  gratefully 
acknowledging  his  kindness;  stating  that  she  was 
comfortably  situated,  and  as  happy  as  she  could  ever 
be  in  this  world,  and  needing  nothing;  but,  if  in  the 
future  she  should  need  assistance  for  her  children,  she 
would  unhesitatingly  apply  to  him. 

The  day  now  arrived  when  our  hero  was  to  take  his 
final  departure  from  Court  Lodge.  He  arose  early,  sad 
and  depressed,  and  spent  the  forenoon  in  going  listlessly 
about  the  mansion  and  grounds,  looking  with  dull, 
uninterested  eyes  on  the  packing  of  books,  pictures, 
statuary  and  furniture,  which  was  now  being  pressed 
forward  under  the  supervision  of  Whitefield. 

These  articles  w^ere  to  be  immediately  shipped  to 
Mayfield,  Carew  having  determined  to  preserve  them 
as  mementos  of  his  life  in  Louisiana. 

When  dinner  v/as  announced,  he  refused  to  partake 
of  it  at  first,  but  finalh^  consented  to  sit  at  the  table  and 
drink  a  glass  of  wine  with  Bragdy,  who  was  invited  to 
share  this  last  meal  with  his  employer,  though  tho 
good  fellow  ate  nothing. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  339 

This  ceremony  —  for  'twas  nothing  more  —  over, 
Carew  ascended  the  staircase  to  the  broad,  flat  roof  of 
the  mansion  and  took  a  Last  look  at  the  familiar  scene, 
already  so  deeply  imprinted  in  his  heart  and  memory. 

Soon  Whitefield  made  his  appearance,  not  liking  to 
leave  his  friend  too  much  alone  at  this  sad  hour. 

Now  the  great  bell  tolled  forth  its  summons  for  the 
hands  to  come  and  see  their  former  master  for  the  last 
time  !  As  the  conviction  burst  upon  Carew  that  he 
was  never  more  to  hear  its  deep'  sweet  tones,  he  gave 
way  to  his  natural  feelings  and  burst  into  a  flood  of 
bitter  tears. 

Whitefield  was  also  much  affected,  and  applied  his 
handkerchief  to  his  eyes.  This  was  also  a  solemn 
moment  for  him :  he  too  had  associated  in  his  heart  of 
hearts  many  a  sweet  recollection  of  by-gone  days, 
delightfully  spent  on  this  spot  — days  now  vanished, 
never  to  return,  or  be  recalled  under  any  possible  com- 
bination of  circumstances. 

The  bell  ceased;  its  clangor  was  followed  by  a 
deathlike  silence  —  so  oppressive,  that  Carew  felt  as 
though  his  heart  would  break. 

It  was  with  a  sense  of  positive  relief,  when  White- 
field  saw  Bragdy  approach  and  silently  beckon  him  to 
draw  near,  whispering  that  the  people  were  below, 
waiting. 

Whitefield  motioned  to  the  manager  to  retire,  and 
after  a  moment's  pause  to  collect  himself  for  the  effort, 
stepped  to  Carew's  side,  took  him  gently  by  the  arm 
and  uttered  this  single  word  :  "  Come." 

Carew  understood;  slowly,  sadly  and  with  downcast 


340  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

eyes  and  faltering  steps,  he  allowed  himself  to  be  led 
down  stairs.  As  he  descended,  the  people  crowded 
anxiously  into  the  great  hall  below,  filling  it  almost  to 
overflowing. 

As  they  caught  sight  of  their  beloved  master,  coming 
to  meet  them,  and  saw  the  powerful  emotion  which 
overcame  him  and  to  which  he  gave  way  without 
restraint,  their  sympathetic  natures  joined  his  in  loud 
bursts  of  grief.  They  seized  upon  him  at  the  bottom 
of  the  stairs,  kneeling  around  his  feet,  kissing  his 
hands,  and  even  his  garments. 

In  the  frenzy  of  the  moment,  they  fell  over  each 
other,  in  the  anxiety  of  each  man,  woman  and  child  to 
touch  the  person  of  the  beloved  object.  Whitefield, 
too,  broke  down  and  wept  aloud,  while  tears  coursed 
down  the  cheeks  of  the  sturdy  manager. 

As  soon  as  he  could  summon  resolution  enough  to 
perform  his  duty,  Bragdy  whispered  Whitefield  that 
the  carriage  in  which  he  and  Carew  were  to  depart,  was 
in  readiness.  Whitefield  assented;  he  saw  it  was  high 
time  to  get  his  friend  away;  these  strong  emotions 
might  make  him  ill,  if  permitted  to  remain  longer 
under  their  influence. 

Wiping  his  eyes,  therefore,  and  requesting  Bragdy  to 
assist  him,  they  together  stepped  among  the  crowd  of 
negroes,  pressed  closely  about  their  master,  and  gently 
removing  some  and  pushing  others  out  of  the  way, 
they  reached  Carew's  side. 

"  Now,  my  friend,"  said  Whitefield,  "  we  must  go ; 
the  carriage  is  Avaiting." 

Carew  held  back. 


THE     EAKL     OF     MAYFIELD.  341 

"Come,"  continued  Whitefield,  "yon  must  leave. 
Remember,  you  have  other  duties  to  perform.  This  is 
consummated." 

So  saying,  he  nodded  to  Bragdy,  and  they  jointly 
pulled  him  to  the  door. 

Carew  resisted  no  longer,  but  suffered  them  to  gently 
force  the  poor  creatures  away  and  to  place  him  in  the 
carriage,  close  by.  Bragdy  pressed  his  hand,  and  as 
Whitefield  sprang  in,  closed  the  door  and  gave  the 
order  to  move. 

As  the  carriage  drove  slowly  off,  the  negroes 
crowded  around  and  followed  it,  ]3iercing  the  air 
with  lamentations;  a  few  even  sprang  on  the  seat 
behind,  for  a  last  look  and  farewell. 

"  This  will  never  do,"  muttered  Whitefield.  Then  he 
emptied  his  pockets  of  all  the  small  change  they  con- 
tained and  scattered  it  out  of  the  carriage  window, 
crying  at  the  same  time :  "  There,  you  wretches,  take 
that,  and  let  us  go  !  '  Driver,"  whip  up  the  horses." 

"  You  beggars  !  it  is  just  what  I  expected.  I  do  not 
believe  the  negro  has  a  soul." 

This  sally  extorted  a  smile  from  Carew,  despite  his 
harrowed  feelings,  which  highly  gratified  Whitefield, 
for  he  saw  that  his  little  diversion  had  accomplished  its 
object,  in  breaking  the  current  of  his  friend's  sorrowful 
thoughts. 


342  THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD, 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

A    PLEASANT     SURPRISE. 

CAREW  was  in  the  (bad)  habit  of  reading  his 
morning's  paper  in  bed.  Sebastian  had,  on  the 
morning  after  the  return  from  Court  Lodge,  brought 
the  journal  in  as  usual  to  his  master's  bedside,  and, 
after  opening  the  blinds  and  performing  other  duties 
pertaining  to  his  station,  had  withdrawn.  These  move- 
ments disturbed  our  hero;  after  several  ineffectual 
attempts  to  again  compose  himself  to  slumber,  he 
betook  himself  to  reading  the  paper. 

First  looking  over  the  dispatches,  particularly  those 
from  England,  he  turned  to  the  editorials,  where,  lo ! 
the  heading  of  the  leading  article  was  entitled  and 
read  as  follows : 


"This  nobleman  has  but  recently  arrived;  or  we 
might  with  perhaps  more  propriety  have  said,  has 
returned  to  our  city.  He  is  one  of  our  own  leading 
citizens,  and  is,  in  addition,  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  wealthy  of  our  sugar  planters.  The  magnificent 
estate  of  Court  Lodge,  with  its  princely  residence  and 
ample  grounds,  has  long  been  famous  as  one  of  the 
''lions"  of  Louisiana. 

"  Its  noble  owner  has  come  over  on  a  flying  trip  from 
his  ancestral  Palace,  at  Mayfield,  in  the  county  of  Sussex, 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 


343 


England.  The  Palace,  as  it  is  called,  is  many  centuries 
old^nd  has  always,  with  the  exception  of  a  brief  period, 
during  the  early  youth  of  the  present  earl,  been  in  the 
possession  of  his  lordship's  family. 

''  The  family  of  Carew  is  one  of  the  most  ancient  in 
Europe,  and  their  peerage  dates  back  to  the  beginning 
of  the  twelfth  century ;  since  which  time  they  num- 
ber in  their  lengthy  pedigree,  warriors  and  sages  with- 
out number;  they  also  claim  alliance  with  royalty 
itself,  and  the  present  Duke  of  Norfolk,  the  head  of  the 
princely  house  of  Howard,  calls  the  Earl  of  Mayfield, 

cousin. 

»  Sir  Thomas  Carew,  Earl  of  Mayfield  ;  Baron  Carew, 
of  Gracedieu,  and  a  Baronet,  was  born  in  this  country, 
and  although  both  of  his  parents  were  English  still, 
America  can  claim  the  distinguished  honor  of  having 
given  birth  to  the  head  of  one  of  Britain's  most  noble 

families. 

"  We  grieve  to  have  to  say,  that  it  is  rumored  his 
lordship  has  determined  upon  closing  out  his  vast  inter- 
ests in  this  country,  and  will  hereafter  apply  himself  to 
his  duties  as  an  hereditary  legislator  in  the  parliament 
of  that  empire,  on  which  the  sun  never  sets. 

"Be  all  this  as  it  may,  we  are  heartily  glad  to  have  the 
noble  lord  among  us,  and  bespeak  for  him  a  cordial 
welcome  from  our  oldest  and  best  citizens  during  his 
stay  with  us,  and  if,  at  last,  we  must  lose  this  distin- 
guished scion  of  Europe's  proudest  aristocracy,  why, 
we  will  wish  him  God  speed  on  his  way  back  to  merry 
England." 

Carew  read  every  word  of  this  precious  article  with 


344  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

feelings  of  the  most  intense  disgust,  nor  was  he  better 
pleased,  when,  on  dressing  and  descending  to  break- 
fast, he  found  by  his  plate  a  number  of  visiting  cards, 
and  invitations  to  dinner  and  to  parties,  from  various 
citizens ;  among  these  were  the  names  of  several,  with 
whom  he  had  not  been  on  speaking  terms  for  years. 

At  this  juncture  Whitefield  entered ;  Carew  handed 
him  several  of  the  cards  and  the  morning  paper;  his 
friend  had  however,  read  the  latter,  and,  therefore,  con- 
fined himself  to  looking  over  the  former.  He  could 
not  repress  a  smile  at  the  disgusting  snobbery  thus 
exhibited  by  men  who  affected,  as  citizens  of  a  free 
republic,  to  hold  all  hereditary  titles  of  honor  in 
contempt. 

■  "What  are  you  going  to  do  about  it?"  asked  the 
lawyer. 

"  Do  !  I  am  going  to  throw  the  cursed  things  into  the 
fire.  I  have  not  changed  my  principles ;  either  these  men 
were  wrong  in  not  calling  upon  me  long  before  this, 
when  I  was  plain  Thomas  Carew,  or  they  are  wi'ong  in 
calling  upon  me  now  that  I  am  the  Earl  of  Mayfield.  I 
will  not  countenance  for  a  moment  such  disgusting 
flunk3-ism.  Sebastian,  throw  all  these  papers  into  the 
fire."'^ 

"  No,  no,  stop  !  "  cried  Whitefield.  "  If  you  do  not 
care  about  these  papers,  let  me  have  them.  I  see 
the  names  of  several  persons  who  used,  some  years  ago, 
to  amuse  themselves  by  abusing  you.  I  would  like  to 
have  it  in  my  power  to  make  these  gentlemen  eat  their 
w^ords." 

"  Ver}^  well,  do  as  you  like,"  remarked  Carew,  in  a 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  345 

tone  of  indifference.  "  I  wish  to  leave  New  Orleans  as 
soon  as  possible ;  when  can  I  go  ?" 

''  You  can  leave  on  the  day  after  to-niorrow  if  you 
like ;  you  must  first  sign  a  number  of  papers,  which 
will  not  be  ready  at  an  earlier  date ;  but,  do  not  forget 
that  you  are  to  dine  with  me  to-day." 

"I  have  not  forgotten,  but  hope  there  will  be  no 
snobs  among  the  guests." 

"I  hope  not,"  replied  Whitefield.  "But  you  must 
not  hold  me  personally  responsible  for  the  vagaries, 
should  there  be  any,  of  people  over  whom  I  have  no 
control." 

"  Of  course  not,  old  fellow,"  replied  Carew,  who  saw 
his  friend  looked  rather  anxious.  "  Come  for  me  when 
you  like,  I  am  not  going  out  to-day." 

Whitefield  then  departed  with  the  understanding 
that  he  was  to  call  for  Carew  with  a  carriage  at  six 
o'clock. 

Sebastian  had  his  hands  full  with  answering  pulls  at 
the  bell;  callers  were  one  and  all  dismissed,  with  a 
polite  not  at  home,  Carew  having  fully  made  up  his 
mind  not  to  be  preyed  upon  by  the  snobs  of  America. 
He  employed  himself  busily  in  making  all  necessary 
arrangements  for  departure,  never  expecting  to  return 
to  Louisiana  except,  perhaps,  as  a  mere  visiting 
stranger. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  at  an  early  place  in  this 
history,  we  stated  that  Carew  had  written  to  Father 
Jerome,  the  friend  of  Miss  Stuart,  in  California ;  the 
priest  promised  in  reply,  to  send  any  information 
he   might   obtain   to  Carew,  concerning   her  place  of 


346  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

residence.  He  now  fulfilled  that  promise.  To  Carew's 
great  joy,  the  good  man  wrote,  sa^dng  he  had  received  a 
letter  from  Miss  Stuart,  dated  about  a  month  previously, 
from  the  Hotel  Anglo- Americaiiie^  at  Rome.  She  was 
in  low  spirits  on  account  of  the  rapidly  failing  health 
of  her  father,  who,  she  feared,  could  not  last  much 
longer.  She  did  not  mention  the  state  of  their  circum- 
stances, but  simply  asked,  and  prayed,  for  spiritual 
assistance. 

Carew's  anxiety  to  be  off  was  now  increased,  and 
when  Whitefield  called  for  him  at  six  o'clock,  he  was 
not  ready,  having  in  his  excited  state  entirely  forgotten 
the  dinner  engagement;  he,  however,  with  the  assis- 
tance of  his  faithful  valet,  soon  donned  an  evening' 
dress,  and  proceeded  immediately  with  his  host  to  the 
residence  of  the  latter. 

Here  were  half  a  dozen  or  more  carriages,  some  of 
which  had  already  deposited  their  passengers  and  were 
in  the  act  of  making  off,  while  others  were  awaiting 
their  turn. 

Carew  wished  to  dismount  at  the  corner,  as  their  car- 
riage was  at  the  rear  of  the  others,  and  it  would  require 
some  minutes  to  enable  it  to  move  up  to  the  entrance 
of  the  grounds.     This  Whitefield  would  not  hear  of. 

"  Oh ! "  cried  Carew.  "  Then  this  is  a  state  dinner 
after  all ! " 

"  Well,  hem  !  ha !  —  Mrs.  W.,  you  know  !  The  fact  is, 
my  dear  felldw,  she  was  anxious  to  show  an  old  friend 
as  much  respect  as  possible  ! "  replied  poor  Whitefield,  in 
much  confusion. 

"I  see,"  said  Carew,  grimly.     "So  Mrs.  Wliitefield 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  347 

is  at  the  bottom  of  it.  I  must  make  the  best  of  it,  I 
suppose.     It  is  now  too  late  to  retreat !  " 

Whitefield  was  much  relieved  at  this  quiet  resignation 
of  his  friend  to  the  inevitable.  He  did  not,  however, 
feel  entirely  safe  until  the  carriage  door  was  opened 
and  Carew  descended  in  full  view  of  several  of  the 
guests,  who  had  also  just  arrived. 

"  Why,  Whitefield,  what  extravagance  ! " 

This  exclamation  from  Carew  was  caused  by  the  dis- 
covery that  the  space  of  twenty  or  thirty  yards  leading 
from  the  street  to  the  hall  door  was  covered  with  a  new 
and  handsome  carpet.  Vases  of  flowers  were  placed  on 
each  side,  with  vines  and  evergreens  interlacing  over- 
head, so  as  to  form  an  arcade  of  living  green,  inter- 
mixed with  numbers  of  Chinese  lanterns,  which  blended 
with  the  variegated  hues  of  the  flowers ;  under  this 
arch  the  guests  approached  the  portico. 

Before  Whitefield  could  reply,  a  band  struck  up  the 
stirring  strain  of  "  Hail  to  the  Chief!  "  It  ceased  play- 
ing as  Carew,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  his  friend,  entered 
the  door.  Here  their  hats  and  Avrappings  were  received, 
and  our  hero  had  time  to  observe  that  the  house  was 
brilliantly  illuminated  and  decorated  with  flowers  in 
immense  profusion,  while  over  the  rear  end  of  the  hand- 
some hall  were  intertwined  the  flags  of  England  and 
America.  Whitefield  had  left  his  guest  immediately 
on  entering,  saying  he  would  meet  him  in  the  drawing- 
room. 

"  My  incognito  is  at  an  end  for  this  evening,"  thought 
our  hero.  "Whitefield's  wife  is  determined  to  make 
the   most   of  me.     I   must  play  my  part   as   well   as 


348  THE     EARL     OF     MATFIELD. 

possible.  After  all,  for  what  else  is  a  lord  useful  in  this 
age ! " 

He  now  directed  his  steps  to  the  drawing-room,  the 
same  in  which  he  had  spent  many  a  delightful  hour  in 
by-gone  days. 

The  door  w^as  opened  by  an  obsequious  darkey,  who 
bowed  low  to  our  hero,  and  roared,  with  a  stentorian 
voice,  "  De  Url  of  Meyfull  I " 

As  his  lordship  —  for  we  must  assume  his  titles,  in 
common  with  the  guests,  for  to-night  —  advanced  into 
the  large  room,  he  perceived  it  to  be  quite  well  filled 
with  ladies  and  gentlemen,  some  of  w^hom  he  recognized 
as  old  friends.  He  did  not,  however,  stop  to  speak  to 
any  one,  but  walked,  with  easy,  unaffected  grace,  up 
the  length  of  the  room,  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  fair 
hostess. 

Mrs.  Whitefied  was  en  grande  tenue,  as  Moliere  would 
say,  and  was  much  fluttered  by  the  unwonted  promi- 
nence into  which  she  had  allowed  her  conceit  to  push 
her ;  for  she  was  ordinarily  a  very  simple,  kind-hearted 
woman.  But  this  unexpected  chance,  which  offered 
her  the  opportunity  of  flaunting  a  real,  live  lord  in  the 
faces  of  her  friends,  was  too  great  to  be  resisted. 

The  earl  saw  her  embarrassment  and  divined  the 
cause.  He  had  thought  at  first  of  attempting  some 
method  of  revenge  for  the  deception  which  had  been 
practised  upon  him,  but  his  good  nature  came  to  the 
rescue  of  poor  Mrs.  Whitefield,  and,  remembering  what 
he  owed  to  her  for  mam^  delightful  hours  in  the  past, 
he  determined  upon  making  her  happy  in  return,  for 
this  evening,  at  whatever  cost  to  himself. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  349 

In  pursuance  of  this  amiable  intention,  he,  as  before 
remarked,  first  paid  his  respects  to  Mrs.  Whitefield,  and 
then,  addressing  her  husband,  said  he  would  mix  with 
the  company  for  a  few  moments  before  dinner.  He 
accordingly  moved  around  the  room,  speaking  cordially 
to  old  friends  and  requesting  them  to  present  others, 
with  whom  he  was  unacquainted.  This  simple  pro- 
ceeding soon  had  the  desired  effect  of  putting  all  at 
their  ease,  and  ceremony  was  thrown  aside. 

By  this  time  dinner  was  announced,  and  when  the 
earl  had  taken  the  hostess  in  and  seated  himself  on  her 
right,  the  company  was  in  a  state  of  unmingled  delight 
and  admiration  for  itself,  accompanied  by  a  correspond- 
ing contempt  for  the  every-day,  vulgar,  outside  world, 
which  was  deprived  of  the  supernal  pleasure  of  dining 
with  a  lord. 

We  will  not  waste  words  on  the  dinner,  elegant 
though  it  was,  nor  will  we  transcribe  the  speeches  made 
after""  the  ladies  had  retired,  brimful,  as  they  were,  of 
patriotism,  and  of— flunkyism.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that 
the  meal  went  off  as  such  affairs  usually  do  — with 
unmixed  satisfaction  to  all  concerned  — and  the  party 
separated  at  a  late  hour,  each  individual  composing  it 
being  fully  satisfied  with  his  or  her  share  in  the  enter- 
tainment, and  believing  that  he,  or  she,  had  attracted 
the  especial  and  particular  notice  of  the  noble  guest  of 
the  day. 

But  time  flies.  We  cannot  linger  longer  in  America, 
and  must  rest  content  with  iiiforming  the  reader  that 
Carew  parted  from  Whitefield  on  the  day  succeeding 
this  dinner.     He  left  full  instructions  with  his  friend  to 


350  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

sell  the  entire  property  in  the  United  States  of  which  he 
was  possessed.  He  had  intended  to  stop  at  his  farm 
near  Saratoga  and  take  the  old  couple  living  there  back 
to  May  field,  as  his  father  had  brought  them  from  Eng- 
land, and  he  himself  had  a  vivid  remembrance  of  the 
interview  with  the  woman,  described  in  an  early  chapter, 
when  she  gave  him  the  idea  that  he  was  nobly  descended. 
His  anxiety  was  now  become  overpowering  to  reach 
Rome.  He,  therefore,  delegated  this  duty  to  Whitefield, 
who  readily  undertook  it. 

The  parting  between  the  friends  was  most  affec- 
tionate, and  Whitefield  promised  to  visit  Mayfield  on 
the  very  first  opportunity  which  presented  itself,  binding 
himself,  any  way,  to  go  over  within  twelve  months  from 
the  date  of  parting. 

Then  followed  a  touching  scene,  viz.:  the  separation 
between  master  and  man  ;  for  Carew  had  determined 
upon  leaving  Sebastian  behind.  The  faithful  fellow 
was  willing  and  anxious  to  follow  whithersoever  his 
master  might  lead,  but  the  latter  knew  he,  of  course, 
w^as  much  attached  to  liis  wife,  and  as  he  had  seen  little 
of  her  since  their  marriage,  it  would  have  been  selfish  to 
take  advantage  of  the  affection  of  the  faitliful  boy  and 
drag;  him  off  ao^ain. 

Sebastian  would  not  be  comforted,  nor  would  he 
consent  to  remain  until  he  learned  that  Whitefield  was 
to  visit  Mayfield  in  the  course  of  a  few  months  at 
farthest.  With  the  understanding,  then,  that  he  was 
to  accompany  the  lawyer,  he  sorrowfully  parted  with 
his  master. 

Carew  privately  told  Whitefield  not  to  attempt  to 


THE     EARL     OF      MAYFIELD.  351 

influence  or  coerce  the  boy  to  go  with  him,  but  to  leave 
it  a  matter  of  perfect  free  will,  to  be  settled  between 
Sebastian  and  his  wife. 

We  will  now  transport  our  readers  to  England, 
^kipping  over  the  Atlantic  with  more  facility  than  did 
our  hero.  He  stopped  only  a  day  in  London  to  see 
and  take  Goldsmith  with  him  to  Mayfield.  Brandon 
met  them  at  Wadhurst,  and  the  trio  drove  to  the  palace 
at  a  rapid  gait. 

Once  within  view  of  the  estate,  a  most  complete 
metamorphosis  struck  the  eye  of  the  earl.  Look  in 
which  direction  he  would  and  there  was  nothing  but 
change.  He  had  scarcely  been  absent  two  months,  and 
already,  like  a  fairy  vision,  arose  the  palace,  sur- 
mounted, from  its  highest  tower,  with  the  broad  ensign 
of  England. 

Everything  outside  presented  a  complete  appearance, 
and  when  the  master  entered  under  the  broad  arch  of 
the  newl^^-completed  barbacan  and  drove  up  the  spa- 
cious avenue  to  the  palace,  he  was  both  astonished  and 
delighted  at  the  more  than  anticipation  of  his  fondest 
wishes. 

''I  can  see  you  are  pleased,"  said  Goldsmith,  who 
had  been  narroAvly  watching  his  friend  and  patron. 

"  I  am  more  than  pleased.  Such  is  the  transforma- 
tion, which  could  have  been  effected  only  under  the 
most  diligent  supervision  of  devoted  friends,  I  am 
wholly  unable  to  express  my  gratitude." 

"Perhaps  yon  will  be  better  able  to  express  yourself 
when  you  have  had  a  glimpse  of  the  bills,"  said 
Brandon. 


352  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  I  will  not  complain,"  answered  Carew,  with  a  smile. 
"  I  gave  you  carte  hlanche^  jow  know." 

"  This  has  cost  a  good  deal,"  remarked  Goldsmith, 
"but,  on  the  other  hand,  much  has  been  done,  and  as 
it  was  pressed  with  such  haste,  it  has  necessarily  cost 
more  than  would  have  been  the  case  had  more  time 
been  allowed." 

"Say  no  more,"  answered  Carew;  "I  understand." 

The  carriage  had  by  this  time  arrived  under  a 
beautiful  portico  of  stone,  built  in  the  Gothic  style, 
to  correspond  with  the  old  palace.  This  projected  from 
the  grand  entrance,  and  was  supported  by  massive 
pillars'  and  pointed  arches,  in  such  fashion  that  there 
was  ample  space  for  two  carriages  to  deposit  their 
passengers  under  shelter  at  the  same  moment. 

The  gentlemen  descended  and  entered  the  grand 
hall,  which  was  square,  about  thirty  feet  each  way,  and 
extended  upwards  for  two  stories,  the  ceiling  termi- 
nating in  groined  arches  which  met  in  the  •  centre, 
supporting  a  golden  shield,  bearing  an  earl's  coronet. 

The  entire  side  of  the  hall,  opposite  to  the  entrance 
from  the  portico,  was  occupied  by  a  magnificent  stair- 
case of  white  marble,  with  a  gilt  rail  of  bronzes  on  one 
side,  and  a  marble  wainscoting  of  various  colors  and 
patterns  on  the  other. 

More  than  twenty  lackeys,  in  a  gorgeous  livery  of 
crimson  and  gold  —  the  colors  of  the  house  from  time 
immemorial  —  stood  on  the  staircase,  lining  the  way, 
and  standing  at  a  salute,  in  military  fashion,  as  their 
lord  passed  up. 

The  stairs  debouched  upon  a  noble  room,  thirty  feet 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  353 

long,  by  twenty-five  in  width  ;^  its  floor  was  covered 
with  a  superb  Axminster  carpet,  with  the  arms  of  the 
Carews  woven  in  the  middle.  This  ante-room,  for  it 
was  only  the  prelude  to  the  grand  drawing-room,  was 
lighted  by  one  immense  window  of  stained  glass,  filled 
with  the  heraldic  insignia  of  the  Earls  of  Mayfield,  and 
the  great  families  with  whom  they  claimed  alliance. 

The  opposite  end  of  the  room  was  almost  filled  with 
a  superb  mirror,  fitted  into  the  stone  wall  so  as  to 
dispense  with  the  necessity  for  a  frame,  thus  doubling 
the  apparent  length  of  the  space  in  front  of  it.  At  a 
few  feet  distant,  stood  several  figures  of  life  size  in 
complete  armor. 

With  the  exception  of  numerous  trophies  of  an 
antique  and  warlike  pattern  displayed  on  the  walls, 
there  was  no  furniture  in  this  room. 

"This  is  exquisite,"  exclaimed  his  lordship,  looking 
around  with  admiring  glance;  "but  how  do  you  pro- 
pose lighting  this  room,  I  see  no  fixtures  for  that 
purpose  ?  " 

"  It  is  lighted,  as  is  the  whole  palace,  by  electricity," 
replied  Brandon.  "  There  is  an  attachment  behind  the 
huge  window,  which  when  lighted  at  night,  throws  a 
light  of  sufficient  power  through  the  stained  glass,  to 
enable  one  to  read  with  facility." 

"  What  a  delightful  idea  !  "  exclaimed  the  earl. 

"  Let  us  now  examine  the  ancient  hall,  which  we 
have  roofed  in  and  converted  into  the  state  drawing- 
room,"  said  Goldsmith. 

This  was  the  next  apartment,  and  separated  from 
the  ante-room  by  an  immense  and  noble  arch,  nearly 
22 


364  THE     EAKL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

thirty  feet  in  width  and  almost  as  high.  This  arch  wag 
filled  by  a  heavy  curtain  of  crimson  satin,  which  now 
closed  it ;  but  at  a  signal  from  Brandon,  two  lackeys, 
one  on  each  side,  drew  it  apart  with  golden  cords, 
fitting  it  snugly  within  the  arch,  thus  blending  it  with 
and  forming  a  strong  contrast  to  the  wliite  stone  of  the 
former. 

The  gentlemen  entered  this  superb  room,  thirty-nine 
feet  wide  by  seventy  in  length;  its  walls,  arches, 
ceiling  and  exquisite  traceries  being  all  wrought  in 
stone.  The  floor  was  of  highly  polished  woods  of 
various  kinds,  forming  beautiful  and  intricate  patterns. 

"  We  did  not  dare  to  alter  much  here,"  said  Bran- 
don, "  knowing  3'our  wish  to  have  this  room  kept  as 
nearly  as  possible  in  the  antique  style.  I  have  also 
left  the  furnishings,  to  be  completed  under  your  own 
eye." 

"  Thanks,"  replied  the  earl ;  "  but  I  think  I  w^ould 
have  been  satisfied  with  your  taste  in  tliis  matter  as 
well  as  in  the  rest  of  the  building,  for  you  have  shown 
a  nice  judgment,  which  I  can  scarcely  hope  to  equal." 

''  If  I  might  be  allowed  to  express  an  opinion,"  said 
Goldsmith,  "  I  think  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  place 
the  best  pictures  and  statues,  particularly  those  in 
marble,  which  are  now  on  the  way  from  America,  in 
this  apartment.  It  would  be  a  blending  of  the  old  and 
the  new  —  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  as  it  were,  of  the 
family." 

"  A  most  excellent  suggestion,"  cried  the  earl,  "  and 
you,  Mr.  Goldsmith,  are  hereby  condemned  to  pay  the 
penalty    of    your   advice,   by   placing   the   articles   in 


THE     EARL    OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D  .  355 

position,  for  they  will  be  here  in  a  few  days.  Brandon 
must  go  with  me  to  Rome ;  we  leave  to-morrow." 

"  O  !  dear  !  dear  !  "  said  the  old  man  ;  "  into  what  a 
mess  have  I  got  myself.  However,  since  I  must,  I 
will ;  therefore,  my  poor  services  are  freely  dedicated 
to  the  work.  I  suppose  the  sooner  the  furniture  is  in 
place  after  its  arrival,  the  better  you  will  be  pleased." 

This  was  said  with  a  merry  twinkle  in  his  eye. 

"  Let  those  laugh  who  win,"  replied  the  earl  with  a 
smile,  "  but  what  have  we  here  ?  Is  this  also  a  stained 
glass  window  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Brandon,  with  an  air  of  conscious 
pride,  "  this  was  my  own  conception,  and  which  Mr. 
Goldsmith  was  kind  enough  to  approve  of. 

"  There  are  fourteen  windows  in  this  room ;  seven  on 
each  side ;  all  are  lighted  at  night  by  electricity,  thus 
illuminating  the  room.  I  began  on  the  right  of  the 
entrance  arch  as  a  starting  point. 

"  This  first  window  presents  the  e^gy  of  Thomas, 
the  first  Baron,  in  full  armor  of  the  period,  with  the 
tiger  crest  issuing  from  his  coroneted  helmet. 

"  The  second  window  represents  Peter,  surnamed 
Furfun,  the  founder  of  this  building  in  1194.  It  was 
then  called  Hadlow  castle.  You  will  perceive  at  his 
feet  a  good  picture  of  the  building  in  ruins,  as  it  was 
when  you  first  saw  it. 

"  The  third  window  contains  the  image  of  William, 
of  ITadlotv,  third  Baron.  He  was  an  unsuccessful 
competitor  for  the  crown  of  Scotland.  The  royal  arms 
of  that  kingdom,  surmounted  by  the  imperial  crown, 
are  emblazoned  by  his  side. 


356  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  The  fourth  window  is  occupied  by  Jaivies,  fourth 
Baron,  who  so  gloriously  fell  at  Crecy.  He  is  lying  on 
the  field  of  battle,  in  full  armor,  with  his  sword  broken 
in  liis  hand,  his  helmet  by  his  side  with  the  tiger  crest, 
and  he  is  supported  in  the  arms  of  Edward,  the  Black 
Prince. 

"The  fifth  window  represents  William,  seventh 
Baron,  in  his  robes  of  office  as  Lord  High  Treasurer 
of  England. 

"  The  sixth  window  has  the  figure  of  Thojias, 
thirteenth  Baron,  and  first  Earl  of  Mayfield,  with 
the  date  of  creation — June  18th,  1525.  You  will 
observe — the  baron's  coronet  is  now  replaced  on  the 
shield  by  that  of  an  earl,  which  takes  precedence  as 
the  higher  title. 

"  The  seventh  and  last  window,  on  this  side  of  the 
room,  is  Francis,  fifth  Earl  and  seventeenth  Baron. 
Around  and  above  him,  are  quartered  the  arms  of  the 
Howards  of  Norfolk,  he  having  married  the  Lady  Maria 
Howard. 

"  We  will  now  go  to  the  other  side,  in  continuation 
of  our  way  around  the  room.  This  brings  us  to  the 
eighth  window,  containing  Sir  Charles,  ninth  Earl, 
twentieth  Baron,  and  second  Baronet;  hence  the 
prefix  of  "Sir"  to  his  name.  You  will  observe  the 
bloody  hand  of  Ulster  is  now  added  to  his  shield,  as 
the  insignia  of  the  Baronetcy.  This  lord  was  your 
grandfather. 

"  The  ninth  window  is  Sir  Tho^vias  ;  tenth  Earl, 
twenty-first  Baron,  and  third  Baronet.  You  see,  above 
his   head,   the   arms   of  England   and   of   the  United 


THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  357 

States.  He  is  clad  in  his  robes  as  a  peer  of  the  realm, 
with  his  earl's  coronet  on  a  table  by  his  side.  He  was 
your  father. 

''  The  tenth  window  is  at  present  blank.  I  designed 
it  for  yourself;  but  the  glass  is  not  yet  ready. 

"  The  four  remaining  windows  are  also  blank.  I 
thought  you  might  prefer  to  leave  them  for  posterity 
to  fill."  And  Brandon  ceased  from  his  lengthy  de- 
scription. 

"  You  are  quite  right ;  the  other  windows  must  be 
left  for  the  future,  and  so  also  shall  my  figure  be  left 
out.  I  am  not  worthy  to  be  placed  on  an  equality  with 
these  noble  ancestors.  Gentlemen,  I  thank  you  both 
heartily  and  fervently  for  your  exertions.  I  am  fully 
and  entirely  satisfied  with  everything  you  have  done." 

"  There  are  two  suites  of  apartments  completed, 
which  you  have  not  yet  seen,"  said  Goldsmith,  leading 
the  way  to  them. 

These,  however,  we  will  not  describe  further  than  by 
stating  that  they  were  replete  with  everything  which 
modern  luxury  could  desire,  and  were  ready  for  imme- 
diate occupation. 

After  dinner,  the  gentlemen  walked  about  the 
grounds.  They  however  retired  early,  as  the  Earl 
mid  his  secretary  were  to  leave  in  the  morning  for  Italy. 
We  will  close  this  chapter  by  stating,  that  the  same 
vessel  which  was  freighted  wdth  furniture  and  pictures 
from  Court  Lodge,  also  bore  the  remains  of  the  earl's 
parents,  which  were  to  be  placed  in  the  mausoleum  of 
St.  Dunstan's,  by  Goldsmith,  as  soon  as  they  arrived. 


358  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

MAIDENLY   EESEKVE. 

THE  earl  and  his  faithful  secretary  were  up  early,  in 
order  to  catch  the  tidal  train  for  Dover,  at  Tun- 
bridge  ;  taking  a  hasty  breakfast,  they  drove  to  Wad- 
hurst,  and  were  in  a  short  time  thereafter  deposited  at 
Tunbridge,  where  they  had  to  wait  an  hour  to  meet  the 
connecting  train  on  the  South  Eastern  Railway.  We 
will  not  follow  the  travellers,  who  proceeded  directly 
lo  Paris,  stopping  there  only  long  enough  to  take  the 
train  for  Turin,  thence  through  Italy,  via  Florence, 
to  Rome. 

Brandon  was  much  disgusted  at  this  rapid  progress, 
for  thej^  travelled  night  and  day,  which  prevented  him 
from  catching  more  than  a  passing  glimpse  of  Europe ; 
that  famous  land  of  old,  which  every  American  heart 
with  the  slightest  pretensions  to  refinement  or  education 
so  yearns  to  look  upon. 

But,  we  must  leave  Brandon  with  his  discontent,  as 
it  is  our  duty  to  wait  upon  sweet  Mary  Stuart,  so  long 
left  out  of  our  pages  —  not  forgotten,  however,  fair 
lady,  for  3-ou  have  ever  dwelt  in  our  mind. 

We  will  retrograde  in  time  several  months,  and  place 
our  scene  in  the  hotel  Anglo-Americaine^  on  the  Via 
Frattina,  in  Rome,  near  the  Piazza  de  Spagna.  Here, 
in  a  small,  plainly  furnished  room  on  the  second  floor, 
sat  Mary  Stuart. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  359 

We  must  devote  some  space  to  her  in  retrospection ; 
we  left  the  fair  girl,  now  several  years  since,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Mississippi,  in  Louisiana,  waving  her 
handkerchief  to  Carew,  as  he  floated  down  the  stream 
in  the  Wanderer. 

Alas !  what  changes  have  both  undergone  since  that 
day;  he  through  many  trials  and  struggles  of  a  most 
mortifying  character;  but,  to  emerge,  at  last,  into  the 
exalted  station  he  now  occupied.  She,  sweet  innocent, 
to  endure,  during  the  same  interval  of  time,  all  the 
mortal  agonies  which  can  wring  and  torture  a  proud, 
noble  spirit  in  this  world  of  trouble. 

The  loss  of  country,  for  such  she  deemed  it,  was  the 
first  blow  which  fell  upon  her  hitherto  sanguine  young 
soul,  for  she  could  never  bring  herself  to  believe,  until 
all  was  over,  that  the  proud  sons  of  her  chivalrous 
South,  would  ever  yield  to  the  foe. 

But  this  was  not  all ;  then  speedily  followed,  in  the 
very  last  days  of  the  war,  the  sack  and  ruin  of  Wood- 
bourne,  by  a  marauding  party  of  Federal  soldiers. 
Her  father,  the  old  Doctor,  was  in  feeble  health ;  the 
shock  caused  by  this  visit  and  the  rudeness  of  the  vil- 
lains, almost  killed  the  old  man ;  added  to  this  was  the 
horrible  fear  which  tortured  him,  when  he  thought  of 
the  danger  to  Avhich  his  lovely  daughter  was  exposed, 
surrounded  as  they  were,  and  defenceless  against  a 
triumphant  and  lawless  set  of  men.  The  whole  coun- 
try was  in  a  state  of  anarchy  and  chaos ;  he,  therefore, 
determined  upon  selling  or  abandoning  Woodbourne. 

One  of  the  many  adventurers,  who  penetrated  the 
South  from  all  directions  in  search  of  opportunities  to 


360  THE    EAEL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

make  money,  regardless  of  the  dangers  they  incurred 
from  both  of  the  contendmg  armies,  —  one  of  those 
men,  we  repeat,  lieard  of  the  old  man's  desire  to  leave 
the  country  and  in  it  saw  a  favorable  moment  to  make 
a  good  bargain ;  he  therefore  called  at  Woodbourne, 
and  after  some  preliminary  conversation,  offered  Doctor 
Stuart  a  sum  in  cash  wliich  would  have  (before  the 
ruin  of  the  crops  by  the  soldiery)  approximated  to,  per- 
haps, one  tenth  of  the  value  of  the  estate ;  the  fellow 
was  prepared  to  give  double  this  amount,  but,  with  the 
caution  and  greed  of  his  Massachusetts  education, 
thought  it  best  to  begin  with  a  low  figure  ;  much  to  his 
surprise  and  delight,  the  Doctor  closed  with  his  first 
offer,  and  the  transaction  was  consummated  on  the  spot 
by  preliminary  writings  to  bind  both  parties.  These 
papers  the  canny  Yankee  had  brought  with  him,  already 
partially  drawn  up  and  only  needing  to  be  filled  out, 
signed  and  dated. 

The  fellow  anticipated  a  good  bargain  and  wished  to 
bind  the  old  man  before  he  could  be  better  advised  by 
friends,  of  the  rashness  of  his  action. 

In  this  respect,  however,  our  adventm^er  displayed 
needless  caution,  for  adversity  seldom  has  friends,  par- 
ticularl}'  in  such  stirring  times  as  those,  in  which 
every  man  was  absorbed  in  his  own  affairs. 

Miss  Stuart,  of  course,  had  nothing  to  say;  what  her 
father"  saw  fit  to  do,  was  always  right  in  her  eyes.  She 
was  also  glad  to  leave  Woodbourne,  their  solitary  life 
there,  made  yet  more  lonely  by  the  bad  health  of  her 
father,  had  produced  a  melancholy  and  depression  of 
spirits,  which  she  found  most  difficult  to   overcome  j 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 


;6l 


when,  therefore,  the  sale  of  Woodbourne  was  com- 
pleted, and  the  old  man  announced  to  his  daughter 
the  determination  he  had  arrived  at,  of  going  to 
Europe,  she  heard  him  with  delight,  feeling  sure  his 
health  would  be  benefited  by  the  change  of  scene  and 
climate  ;  and  in  addition  to  this,  her  cultivated  and 
refined  tastes  saw  much  to  be  pleased  with,  m  the 
anticipation  of  a  lengthened  sojourn  in  Europe.  With 
a  blithe  heart  she  began  at  once  to  make  all  the  neces- 
sary preparations  for  an  immediate  departure. 

Doctor  Stuart  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  and  natu- 
rally his  first  thoughts  reverted  to  his  native  land,  m 
the  matter  of  selecting  a  residence  abroad ;  but  when 
he  reflected  upon  the  severity  of  the  climate,  his  own 
poor  health  and  also  the  danger  of  exposing  his  deli- 
cate child,  nurtured  in  the  balmy   air  of  the  South, 
to  the  keen  winds  of  Scotland,  he  hesitated,  and  finally 
concluded  to  go  to  the  Continent,  leaving  the  matter  of 
a  fixed  home,  to  be  settled  after  they  crossed  the  Atlan- 
tic ;  for  the  moment,  however,  he  selected  Pans,  as  a 
central  point  from  which  they  might  travel  in  any  direc- 
tion, and  in  the  mean  time,  while  there,  could  regulate 
their  expenses  to  correspond  with  their  present  moder- 
ate  means;  he  made  up  his  mind  to  invest  their  little 
all  in  British  consols,  which  would  give  them  an  income 
of    something    more    than   one   hundred    pounds    per 
annum,  or  reduced  to  French  money  it  would  amount 
to  nearly  three  thousand  francs;  besides  this,  he  had 
a  sum  sufiicient  to  enable  them  to  travel  to  their  destina- 
tion   and    establish    themselves    in    a  moderate    way, 
without  trenching  upon  the  capital. 


362  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

Their  arrangements  for  departure  were  soon  com- 
pleted; it  only  remained  to  select  the  route  by  which 
they  would  reach  Europe;  there  were  two  ways — as 
the  war  was  now  over  and  the  road  clear  —  one  by  way 
of  New  Orleans,  and  the  other  by  taking  a  steamer  at 
their  own  door  for  some  point  on  the  Ohio  river,  and 
thence  by  rail  to  New  York,  where  it  would  be  easy  to 
get  a  steamer  to  any  portion  of  Europe. 

They  decided  upon  the  latter  course,  as  it  was  not 
only  the  cheapest  but  most  comfortable,  albeit  the 
slowest  route.  Time,  however,  was  no  object;  whether 
they  were  a  few  days  more  or  less  in  arriving  at  their 
destination  was  a  matter  of  no  consequence,  whereas 
the  difference  in  cost  was  a  great  object;  besides  this 
motive,  both  father  and  daughter  had  another,  they 
did  not  wish  to  run  the  risk,  in  passing  through  New 
Orleans,  of  being  seen  by  old  friends  who  had  known 
them  in  better  days. 

Miss  Stuart,  in  particular,  was  anxious  to  avoid 
meeting  Carew,  for  he  would  be  certain  to  oppose  their 
departure  from  America  under  such  circumstances,  and 
would  press  her  father  with  mone}^,  which  the  old  man 
might  be  induced  to  accept,  for  he  looked  uj)on  Carew 
as  a  son,  thus  placing  himself,  and  indirectly,  herself 
also,  under  lasting  and  delicate  obligations  to  him. 

Her  pride  revolted  from  such  a  position,  for  she  loved 
Carew  in  spite  of  herself,  in  spite  too  of  the  course  he 
had  chosen  in  separating  himself  from  his  native 
South;  she  had  vainly  endeavored  to  tear  liis  image  from 
her  heart,  therefore,  it  may  readily  be  conceived,  that 
she    slirank   from   obligations   to    one   whose   political 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  363 

principles  she  could  not  endure,  and  who  was  now,  bitter 
thought,  in  the  full  flush  of  triumph  over  her  fallen, 
lamented,  much  loved  South  !  Would  he  not  think  of 
her  with  contempt,  did  she  accept  alms  from  her  coun- 
try's foe  ?  No  !  it  was  not  even  to  be  thought  of,  much 
less  to  be  endured ! 

These  combined  feelings  and  sentiments  of  father 
and  child  caused  them  to  decide  in  favor  of  choosing 
the  river  route.  They  left  within  ten  days  after  the 
sale  of  Woodbourne,  the  father  without  regrets,  and  the 
daughter  with  but  one  feeling  of  sorrow,  and  that  was, 
the  parting  with  Father  Jerome,  the  parish  priest,  her 
confessor  and  friend.  This  good  old  man  soothed  her 
to  the  best  of  his  ability,  and  broke,  to  some  extent, 
the  grief  of  parting,  b}^  giving  her  the  information  that 
he  was  expecting  an  order  to  go  to  California;  thus, 
within  a  brief  period,  they  would  in  all  probability  be 
separated,  even  though  the  Stuarts  had  not  left  Wood- 
bourne. 

Doctor  Stuart,  with  his  lovely  daughter,  arrived 
safely  in  New  York,  and  there  embarked  on  a  French 
steamer  for  Havre,  proceeding  tlience  to  Paris. 

Arrived  in  the  gay  capital,  they  obtained  two  small 
apartments  in  the  line  Rivoli^  near  the  lower  end  of  the 
Champs  Elysees^  and  overlooking  the  Place  de  la  Con- 
corde. This  was  in  a  rather  expensive  portion  of  the 
city,  but  they  counterbalanced  this  by  going  to  the 
fifth  floor,  which  also  gave  them  pure  air  and  quiet. 
The  doctor  was  now  too  feeble  to  walk,  and  it  was 
essential  to  have  a  gay  view  from  the  window  by  way 
of  compensation,  and  as  for  the  young  lady,  it  made 


364  THE     EAEL     OF    M  A  Y  F  1  E  L  D. 

but  little  difference  to  her  lithe  limbs  whether  she 
ascended  one  or  two  flights  of  stairs  more.  The  whole 
of  Paris  passed  under  their  windows  in  a  splendid  pan- 
orama; the  Tuileries,  not  yet  destroyed,  but  in  the  full 
glow  of  im^^erial,  and  apparently  solid  splendor;  the 
towers  of  Notre  Dame  loomed  above  and  beyond  the 
palace,  in  front  was  the  silver  Seine,  with  its  beautiful 
quays,  bridges,  and  snorting  little  steamers,  mere  toys 
to  the  eyes  of  Miss  Stuart,  accustomed  as  they  were  to 
the  leviathans  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  brilliant  Champs  Elysees^  with  its  trees,  its  foun- 
tains, its  caf^s,  its  never  ceasing  flow  of  people  and 
vehicles,  the  glittering  dome  of  the  Invalides,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river;  the  palace  of  the  Legion  of 
Honor,  almost  directl}'  opposite ;  while  to  the  right,  and 
in  the  distance,  towered,  from  the  summit  of  a  gentle 
acclivity,  the  superb  Arc  de  Triomphe^  erected  by  the 
Great  Na^Doleon,  in  commemoration  of  the  glories  of 
France. 

This  was,  indeed,  a  change  from  the  dullness  and 
seclusion  of  Woodbourne;  here  also,  they  could  dwell 
in  peace  and  in  safety.* 

Under  these  vivifying  influences,  the  spirits  of  the 
daughter  soon  rallied;  she  seemed  to  undergo  a  com- 
plete transformation,  and,  lovely  thongh  she  was  before, 
she  now  became  perfectly  enchanting,  her  lithe  and 
somewhat  slender  form  dilated  and  rounded  into  the 
full  bloom  and  maturity  of  womanhood. 

Her  little  French  maid,  Mignon,  the  daughter  of  the 
landlady,  was  lost  in  Avonder,  admiration  and  love  for 
"Za   belle   Americaine.''      She   devoted  herself    to    the 


TliE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  365 

service  of  her  young  mistress  with  all  the  energy  of 
her  vivacious  French  nature. 

Extremely  fortunate  was  Mary  Stuart  in  winning  the 
affections  and  smiles  of  this  faithful,  shrewd  young 
Frenchwoman.  Mignon  was  a  year  or  two  older  than 
herself,  but  in  the  ways  of  the  world,  in  the  knowledge 
of  Paris,  and  the  tricks  of  its  tradesmen,  she  was  old 
enough  to  be  the  mother  of  her  mistress.  All  this 
ability  and  experience  was  freely  offered  in  the  ser- 
vice which  she  tendered  the  old  man  and  his  daughter, 
at  first  for  wages,  and  then  for  love  as  well. 

Mignon  was  not  bad  looking  neither;  indeed,  her 
indulgent  mistress  would  declare  sometimes,  after  dress- 
ing her  luxuriant  black  tresses  and  adorning  them  with 
a  ribbon  from  her  own  scanty  wardrobe,  that  she  was 
really  pretty,  lighted  up  as  her  features  would  then  be 
by  an  expression  of  gratified  pride,  mingled  with  modest 
confusion,  as  she  gratefully  accepted  these  kind  and 
condescending  attentions. 

Thus  time  passed  pleasantly  for  all.  Mistress  and 
maid  went  on  frequent  little  excursions  about  the  city, 
but  most  generally  these  were  made  to  one  or  another 
of  the  many  superb  churches  with  which  Paris  is 
adorned ;  they  were  both  devoted  Catholics,  and  this 
unity  of  religious  belief  added  a  new  link  to  their  now 
firmly  riveted  chain  of  friendship. 

Tl'ie  doctor's  health  had  rallied  at  the  first  change  of 
scene  and  chmate,  added  to  which  was  the  excitement 
of  travel.  All  these  effects  combined  to  his  advantage. 
This,  however,  did  not  last  long.  An  interval  of  de- 
pression soon  followed  that  of  elation,  and  the  old  man 


366  THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

soon  realized,  though  he  kept  it  to  himself,  that  he 
would  probably  ere  long  have  to  leave  his  beloved  child 
alone  in  a  strange  land.  This  knowledge  pressed  upon 
him  more  and  more,  as  time  passed,  until  his  daughter 
became  so  much  alarmed  at  his  growing  debility  that 
she  insisted  upon  calling  in  medical  aid. 

The  physician  perceived  the  case  to  be  a  hopeless 
one,  but  thought  life  might  be  prolonged  by  a  move 
into  a  milder  climate.  Winter  was  approaching,  and 
was  likely  to  be  too  severe  in  Paris  for  the  weakened 
frame  of  the  invalid.  He  recommended  Italy.  The 
father  acquiesced,  willing  to  prolong  life  for  his 
daughter's  sake,  and  selected  Rome  for  the  winter, 
thinking  it  possible  she  might  meet  with  some  friend 
from  America  in  this  central  city,  who  would  be  of  use 
to  her  in  the  future,  when  he  was  gone,  for  he  knew  his 
disease  to  be  one  of  merely  a  little  more  or  less  time. 

To  Rome  they  went  accordingly,  and  were  accom 
panied  by  the  faithful  Mignon,  who  vowed  she  would 
never  desert  her  dear  young  mistress  in  this  sore  hour 
of  need.  She  went  with  the  full  consent  of  her  good 
mother,  who,  aside  from  a  sincere  affection  for  Miss 
Stuart,  was  not  insensible  to  the  advantages  which 
would  accrue  to  her  child  from  seeing  the  world,  outside 
of  Paris,  in  such  good  company. 

They  travelled  by  easy  stages  only  by  day,  and  occu- 
pied about  a  week  in  completing  the  journey.  In 
Rome  the}'  stopped  at  the  hotel  Anglo-Amerieaine^ 
attracted,  in  the  first  instance,  by  its  name,  and  a 
reference  to  the  guide  book  satisfying  them  it  was  a 
respectable  alhergo^  decided  the  point. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  367 

It  had  been  their  intention  to  remain  here  but  a  few 
days,  it  being  too  expensive  a  place  for  them,  until 
they  could  find  other  quarters.  The  doctor,  however, 
became  rapidly  worse  from  the  day  of  their  arrival. 
Thus  weakened,  it  was  deemed  unsafe  to  remove  him. 
The  good  old  man  felt  it  was  time  to  part  with  his 
child,  for  he  was  likely  to  drop  off  at  any  moment.  He 
now  told  her  he  had  known  his  condition  for  some  time 
and  that  he  did  not  fear  to  die.  He  was  a  Presbyterian, 
and,  although  permitting  his  child  the  full  and  unre- 
strained exercise  of  the  religion  she  had  inherited  from 
her  mother,  still  he  had  adhered  to  the  sturdy  old 
Calvinistic  ideas  under  which  he  had  been  reared  in 
Scotland. 

The  scene  was  a  most  sacred  and  touching  one.  We 
will  not  intrude  on  the  privacy  of  such  a  death  bed,  nor 
attempt  to  portray  the  agonized  feelings  with  which 
the  poor  girl  realized  that  she  was  now  to  be  alone  — 
dreadful  word  ! — in  the  world,  in  an  alien  land — far 
from  the  scenes  of  her  childhood. 

While  her  father  still  lived,  however,  she  nerved  her- 
self to  the  task  of  assumed  cheerfulness,  which  she 
knew  was  necessary  on  his  account,  and  when  he  told 
her,  with  feeble  accents,  to  have  him  buried  in  the 
beautiful  Protestant  cemetery  at  Florence,  she  prom- 
ised, without  a  tear,  to  carry  out  his  last  behest. 

That  night  the  noble  old  man  went  to  his  rest.  As 
his  child  sat  by  the  side  of  the  bed,  holding  one  of  his 
hands  in  hers,  she  dropped  her  head  on  his  pillow  and 
for  a  few  moments  slept,  overpowered  by  exhaustion 
and  fatigue.     Suddenly  she  awoke  and  saw  her  father 


368  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

attempt  to  sit  up,  making  at  the  same  time,  vain  efforts 
to  speak,  but  before  she  could  move,  he  fell  back — 
dead. 

We  must  draw  the  veil  over  what  followed,  and  will 
open  the  scene  where  we  found  Mary  Stuart  near  the 
beginning  of  this  chapter — in  the  hotel — to  which  she 
and  Mignon  had  that  day  returned  from  the  sad  duty  of 
interring  her  father,  in  accordance  with  his  request,  at 
Florence. 

She  scarcely  knew  wh}^  she  returned  to  Rome  or  why 
she  did  not  remain  in  Florence.  In  fact,  she  had  but 
little  to  do  with  the  matter,  the  energetic  little  maid 
having  taken  complete  and  entire  charge  of  her. 

Now  did  the  good  qualities  of  Mignon  beam  forth 
and  abundantly  testify  her  worth.  The  shrewd  little 
woman  knew  the}^  had  left  most  of  their  effects  in 
Rome,  and  it  was  but  natural  to  return  for  them. 
Besides,  she  was  more  familiarized  with  that  cit}^,  and 
was  sure  they  could  live  there  more  cheaply,  on  account 
of  this  acquired  knowleds^e,  than  in  Florence.  Her 
mistress,  too,  was  very  delicate,  and  ought,  in  her 
opinion,  to  spend,  at  least,  part  of  the  winter  in  Italy, 
before  returninor  to  France  or  America.  In  anv  event, 
it  would  be  absolutely  necessary  for  her  mistress  to 
economize  as  much  as  possible,  as  the  extra  expenses 
entailed  by  her  father's  sickness  and  death  had  not  only 
exhausted  their  income,  but  had  caused  them  to  incur 
some  small  debts.  All  things  considered,  Mignon  de- 
termined upon  a  return  to  Rome.  Miss  Stuart  was 
passively  obedient  to  the  advice  of  her  maid.  She 
offered   no   suggestions,  made   no   comments,  but  did 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  369 

what  Mignon  proposed.  She  sat  looking,  in  a  vague 
fashion,  out  of  the  window,  and,  almost  for  the  first 
time  since  her  father's  death,  prevailing  upon  her 
confused  ideas  to  form  some  sort  of  shape — she  began 
to  think. 

A  crowd  of  memories  rushed  in  to  overwhelm  her  at 
once.    She  went  back  in  thought  to  her  early  childhood. 

Her  dear  mother,  her  father,  her  infant  brother  — 
dead !  —  all  gone  !  Woodbourne  !  The  river — sunrise  — 
a  boat  drifting  slowly  down  the  stream  and  containing 
two  figures ;  one  waving  his  cap,  as  he  drifted,  drifted, 
slowly,  but  surely,  round  the  distant  point — out  of 
sight!  Had  he,  too,  disappeared  forever!  "Was  she 
never  more  to  behold  that  manly  form,  those  flashing 
eyes — the  type  of  all  that  was  chivalrous  and  heroic  in 
her  youthful  fancy !  Was  he,  too,  but  mere  dust — a 
phantom  of  the  terrible  past !  Oh !  God  of  mercies ! 
be  gentle  with  me !  Temper  the  wind  to  the  shorn 
lamb  !  Lord  !  hast  thou,  too,  abandoned  me  !  What 
have  I  done !  Of  what  dreadful  crime  have  I,  or  mine, 
been  guilty,  that  I  should  be  punished  thus !  " 

The  poor  girl  was  overcome  as  she  uttered  these 
despairing  words.  She  dropped  her  poor,  sweet, 
wearied  little  head,  with  its  luxuriant,  disheveled  locks, 
upon  the  window-sill,  and  gave  way  to  a  flood  of  bitter, 
blinding  tears. 

At  this  moment  the  door  opened  and  Mignon  entered. 
The  instant  she  saw  the  condition  of  her  mistress,  the 
girl  rushed  forward,  dropping  some  packages  she  had 
in  her  apron,  clasped  the  young  lady  in  her  arms,  and 
showered  tears  and  kisses  alternately  upon  her  head. 


370  THE     EAKL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

As  they  conversed  habitually  in  French,  we  shall 
have  to  translate  for  the  reader. 

"Oh  I  ma  chere  amie!  jow  must  not  give  way  thus. 
Remember  what  I  told  you  yesterday  ;  my  dream  about 
the  American  gentleman,  Monsieur  Carew.  He  is  com- 
ing to  look  for  you,  ma  belle  !  He  will  search  the  world 
till  he  finds  his  treasure  —  the  sweetest  young  lady  du 
monde!'' 

Mignon  had  extracted  the  secret  from  Miss  Stuart, 
in  the  first  bursts  of  grief  after  her  father's  death;  her 
sense  of  total  isolation  and  desertion  had  caused  her, 
almost  without  knowing  it,  to  call  upon  Carew  for 
help. 

Mignon  heard  and  her  heart  leapt  with  joy;  the 
faithful  creature  felt  that  if  he  could  be  found,  all 
would  be  well,  and  her  sweet  mistress  would  be  happy 
once  more ;  hence  she  thought  so  much  and  so  deeply 
about  this  lover,  that  she  dreamt  about  liim  —  that  he 
had  at  last  arrived,  in  search  of  Miss  Stuart  —  had 
married  and  carried  her  off  to  a  grand  home  in  a  foreign 
land! 

In  spite  of  herself,  Mary  Stuart  felt  a  new-born  hope 
rise  within  her,  at  these* cheering  words  of  Mignon, 
absurd  though  her  judgment  told  her  they  must  be. 

"Ah I  Mignon,  dear,  you  are  too  hopeful!  no  one 
will  ever  look  for  poor  me.  I  have  no  friends,  dearest, 
but  you,  and  your  good  mother." 

"  O,  yes  you  have,  Mademoiselle,  you  have  others; 
you  love  him^  you  know,  he  will  come,  be  sure  of  that; 
you  have  also  le  hon  Pere  Jerome,  he  will  write  again; 
I  am  sure  you  will  get  good  news  soon ! " 


THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD.  371 

"Well,  dearest,  you  are  right  about  good  Father 
Jerome,  he  is  a  true  friend.  Yes,  you  give  me  comfort, 
Mignon.  I  ought  to  have  a  letter  from  him  by  this 
time ! " 

"  Did  you  not  say,  ma  chere^  that  Father  Jerome  said 
in  his  last  lettre^  that  Monsieur,  you  know,  had  written 
to  him  in  —  where  is  that  place  —  Calif ornie,  about 
you?" 

"  Yes,  dear,  he  did  say  so,"  answered  the  young  lady, 
her  beautiful  but  sad  features  now  brightening  with  a 
smile  and  a  blush  at  the  recollection. 

"  And  did  he  not  say,  also.  Mademoiselle,"  persisted 
Mignon,  as  she"  slid  down  to  her  mistress'  feet,  and 
toyed  with  and  kissed  her  hands,  "  did  he  not  say,  le 
hon  ptre^  that  you  should  have  written  to  Monsieur, 
who  had  always  been  a  hon  ami  of  yours  and  of  your 
father?" 

"  Yes,  dear,  he  did  say  so." 

"  Then,  pardon^  ma  chere^  but  then,  why  have  you 
not  written  ce  lettre  ?  " 

"I  should  have  done  so  before  this,  I  admit,"  said 
the  fair  girl  with  embarrassipent.  "I  have  tried  several 
times  to  do  so,  but  never  had  the  courage." 

"  Vous  avez  tort^  Mademoiselle.     You  are  wrong." 

"  I  am,  I  am.  I  will  write  to  him.  It  is  a  duty. 
But  I  do  not  know  where  to  write  now;  he  may  have 
moved  away,  it  is  so  long  since  I  heard  of  him." 

"Have  I  not  heard  you  say,  ma  belle,  that  he  was 
very  riche,  with  a  fine  house  and  great  lands  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear,  he  is  very,  very  rich,  and  I  am  so  poor." 

"  Then  a  letter  will  be  sure  to  find  him,  even  if  he  is 


372  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

away;  le pere  Jerome's  letter  can  find  him,  and  why 
not  la  votre^  as  well  ?  " 

"  Well,  dearest,  I  will  think  about  it ;  but  we  will 
wait  a  little  while,  dear,  aweet,  little  Mignon,  and  see 
whether  your  dream  does  not  come  true ;  then,  you 
know,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  write." 

"  Ah !  Mademoiselle,  you  should  not  put  it  off." 

And  then  seeing  her  mistress  was  now  restored  to  a 
more  cheerful  frame  of  mind  than  she  had  seen  her  in 
since  they  left  Paris,  the  energetic  little  maid  began  to 
touch  upon  the  state  of  their  finances,  for  she  was  now 
treasurer  of  the  little  household,  as  well  as  maid  of  all 
work.  She  felt  that  retrenchment  was  absolutely 
necessary ;  indeed,  they  could  not  leave  Rome,  even 
to  return  to  Paris  to  live  with  her  mother,  until  they 
had  economized  sufficiently  to  pay  their  little  debts  and 
provide,  in  addition,  for  the  travelling  expenses. 

Mignon,  therefore,  suggested  that  they  move  into 
cheaper  quarters.  She  had  found  a  nice  room  that 
morning,  which  had  been  recommended  by  their  wash- 
erwoman, in  the  Trastevere  quarter  of  the  city.  It 
was  a  small  apartment  in  the  sixth  story,  but  that 
was  nothing;  it  was  decently  furnished,  and  as  that 
quarter  was  very  cheap,  they  could  live  on  almost 
nothing,  and  would  soon  save  enough  to  leave  Rome 
and  go  to  Paris,  where  her  sweet  mistress  could  have  a 
comfortable  home  as  long  as  she  liked,  with  Mignon's 
mother. 

The  wisdom  of  this  course  was  so  apparent,  that 
Miss  Stuart  at  once  gave  her  assent.  They  accordingly 
moved  to  their  new  quarters  on  the  next  day  but  one, 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  373 

having  previously  left  their  address  with  the  proprietor 
of  the  hotel,  in  order  that  he  might  forward  their 
letters,  as  Mignon  corresponded  regularly  with  her 
mother,  and  Miss  Stuart  was^in  daily  expectation  of  a 
letter  from  Father  Jerome. 

As  we  have  stated,  their  new  quarters  were  in  the 
region  across  the  Tiber,  called  the  Trastevere.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  ancient  quarters  of  Rome,  though  the 
least  populous  portion  of  the  city.  Living  and  house- 
rent  were  very  cheap.  Strangers  were  rarely  seen  there,' 
except  when  they  came  to  visit  .the  basilica  of  St. 
Cecilia,  just  around  the  corner  from  Miss  Stuart's 
apartment.  To  this  church  she  went  regularly ;  besides 
attending  Mass  every  morning,  she  went  at  least  once  a 
day,  to  pray  before  the  beautiful  white  marble  shrine  of 
the  martyred  saint. 

We  might  write  much  in  praise  of  this  ancient 
church,  built  on  the  site  of  the  house  once  belonging  to 
the  saint.  The  remains  of  the  bath  in  which  her  execu- 
tioners vainly  tried  to  suffocate  her,  are  still  shown  to 
the  curious,  with  its  pipes,  its  marbles,  and  its  mosaics, 
yet  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  But  we  are  not 
antiquaries,  and  if  we  were,  the  reader  would  only  be 
bored  by  the  thousandth  description  of  a  place  which  he 
has  either  already  seen,  or  often  read  of. 

Miss  Stuart  and  her  Mignon  passed  the  time  in  each 
other's  society.  They  were  now  getting  along  pretty 
well;  the  little  income  was  once  more  in  advance  of 
their  frugal  wants,  and  they  were  in  a  fair  way  to 
liquidate  their  debts  and  return  to  Paris. 

Father  Jerome's  long  expected  letter  now  came.    He 


374  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

informed  her  that  he  had  written  to  Mr.  Carew,  giving 
him  her  father's  address  in  Rome,  and  he  had  no  doubt 
they — Father  Jerome  did  not  know  of  the  Doctor's 
death  when  he  wrote  —  would  soon  hear  from  or  see 
him.  Meanwhile,  he  strongly  advised  her  to  write  to 
Carew,  or  at  all  events,  not  to  leave  Rome  until  she 
could  hear  from  him,  as  he  was  a  true  friend  and  should 
not  be  neglected. 

This  letter  filled  her  heart  with  hope,  and  with  grati- 
tude to  God  for  His  goodness  in  thus  putting  her  lover 
upon  the  track,  for  she  was  now  sure  he  would  either 
write,  or  if  possible,  look  her  up  himself,  since  he 
evidently  took  much  interest  in  learning  where  she  was. 

She  determined,  with  true  maidenly  reserve,  not  to 
write  to  him,  but  to  await  events.  If  he  was  still  the 
Carew  of  old,  her  preux  chevalier^  he  would  find  her, 
but  if  altered  and  indifferent,  it  was  better  that  she 
should  not  write. 

No,  she  would  wait,  but  wait  in  hope  and  with  faith. 

All  this  was  confided  to  Mignon,  who  prudently 
counselled  her  mistress  to  write,  but  without  effect. 

These  events  have  brought  us  almost  down  to  the 
time  when  Carew,  or  more  properly,  the  earl,  had  been 
on  the  eve  of  departing,  for  the  last  time,  from  Amer- 
ica, when,  it  will  be  remembered,  he  received  a  letter 
from  Father  Jerome,  giving  Doctor  Stuart's  address  in 
Rome. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  375 

•     CHAPTER   XXXI. 

"JE     CO  MP  RENDS— BON     SOIR." 

WE  must  now  meet  the  earl  and  Brandon  at  the 
hotel  Anglo-Americaine^  whither  they  arrived 
at  noon,  thoroughly  fatigued,  and  covered  with  the 
dust  and  cinders  of  the  long  journey  from  Mayfield. 
The  earl  left  his  secretary  below  to  register  theit  names, 
and  ascended  the  stairs  without  delay  to  his  room,  for 
the  purpose  of  changing  his  clothing  before  calling 
upon  Miss  Stuart,  \^hom  he  doubted  not,  he  would  be 
able  to  see  immediately. 

While  he  was  hastily  undressing,  the  obsequious 
lackey,  who  had  followed  him  into  the  room,  was 
arranging  and  brushing  a  suit  of  clothes  which  he  had 
just  disinterred  from  one  of  the  trunks:  the  earl 
inquired,  first  in  English, — which  the  man  did  not  under- 
stand, and  then  in  French  —  "Where  are  situated  the 
rooms  of  Doctor  Stuart,  an  American  gentleman?  " 

"  Le  Docteur  Stuart^  Monsieur,"  replied  the  fellow  in 
astonishment,  "  il  est  mort^^  he  is  dead,  sir ! 

"  Heavenly  powers !  dead,  man ;  Doctor  Stuart  dead  I " 

"  Si  Signor^  he  is  dead  these  three  months ;  he  died 
in  numero  twenty-three,  the  pauvre  gentleman  was  very 
sick  ven  he  come." 

"And  Mademoiselle?"  gasped  his  lordship,  fearful  to 
ask,  lest  he  should  get  bad  news,  and  yet  most  anxious 
to  know  something  of  her. 


376  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  Mademoiselle  is  gone  "  —  began  the  man. 

The  earl's  face  grew  pale,  he  leaned  against  the  table 
for  support  —  when  Brandon  rushed  into  the  room, 
breathless  and  excited ;  he  cried, 

"  Oh  !  my  dear  friend ;  I  pity  you,  Doc — ,"  before  he 
could  complete  the  sentence  he  saw  that  the  earl  knew 
all ;  he  paused,  uncertain  what  to  do  or  say ! 

The  earl  sunk  into  a  chair  and  buried  his  face  in  his 
hands,  groaning  aloud  in  the  agony  of  his  spirit.  When 
the  servant  had  said  Miss  Stuart  was  gone,  the  earl  had 
not  noticed  that  he  was  only  beginning  a  sentence ;  he 
instantly  anticipated,  and  put  the  worst  possible  con- 
struction on  the  word  "gone,"  and  was  confirmed  in 
this  opinion  by  Brandon's  rushing  in. 

The  latter  now  questioned  the  man,  as  to  the  infor- 
mation he  had  imparted  to  his  lordship,  for  although  he 
was  fully  aware  of  his  friend's  sincere  attachment  to 
the  venerable  old  man,  still  he  could  not  understand 
why  he  should  be  so  completely  overcome  by  the  intel- 
ligence of  his  death,  especially  when  the  object  of  his 
affections  was  in  Rome ;  having  only,  as  the  reader  is 
aware,  removed  from  this  hotel  to  other  quarters ;  her 
address  being  now  in  his,  Brandon's  hands.  The  secre- 
tary soon  elicited  from  the  man,  word  by  word,  what 
he  had  told  the  gentleman;  he  then  hastily  told  his 
friend  what  he  knew  about  Miss  Stuart,  informing  him 
she  was  well  and  in  Rome,  that  she  was  attended  by  a 
faithful  female  who  had  come  with  her  from  Paris,  and 
ended  by  handing  him  a  slip  of  paper  with  the  address, 
written  in  mongrel  French  and  Italian,  '-^  via  di  Jani- 
culo^  jjres  de  Ste.  Cecilia;  il  Trastevere ;  passe  par  il 
Ponte  Motto. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  377 

This  information  acted  magically  on  the  nerves  of 
the  earl ;  he  sprang  up,  and  without  more  ado,  tlirew 
his  arms  around  his  friend. 

"Oh,  Monsieur!  "  cried  the  latter,  "you  should  not 
have  been  so  stupid  as  to  take  a  thing  for  granted ;  you 
are  always  taking  a  blue  view  of  everything.  Now 
get  ready  to  go  at  once  and  see  Miss  Stuart,  I  will  go 
down  to  order  a  carriage  and  will,  in  addition,  send 
you  a  lunch  to  eat  whilst  dressing,  as  I  know  you  will 
not  take  time  to  swallow  anything,  once  you  are  down 
stairs." 

"  You  are  a  good  fellow,  Brandon ;  do  as  you  will  in 
ordering  the  carriage,  but  I  am  not  hungry,  and  want 
nothing." 

"You  must  eat;  you  have  had  nothing  to-day;  it  will 
take  half  an  hour  to  get  a  carriage,  these  lazzaroni  will 
probably  have  to  build  one."  So  saying,  Brandon  de- 
scended and  fulfilled  his  promise  by  sending  up  a  cold 
collation  with  a  bottle  of  Barolo ;  the  Italian  claret,  or 
vin  ordinaire  of  the  country.  The  earl  was  now  ready: 
he  took  a  hasty  bite  and  drank  some  of  the  wine 
before  descending ;  hearing  the  wheels  of  the  carriage 
approach,  he  at  once  went  down  to  meet  it,  telling 
Brandon  to  stay  at  the  hotel,  or  walk  out  as  he  saw  fit, 
saying: 

"  It  is  a  long  drive,  and  we  have  to  cross  the  Tiber, 
you  know." 

"  No ;  I  don't  know  anything  about  it,"  replied  Bran- 
don,— "  except  this.  I  shan't  wait  dinner  for  you,  that 
is  all." 

His  friend  smiled  and  waved  his  hand  in  adieu,  as 


378  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

the  carriage  rolled  rapidly  off;  the  driver  turned  the 
second  corner  into  the  Corso,  down  which  he  went  in  a 
straight  line  due  South,  until  he  reached  the  Torlonia 
palace ;  here  he  diverged  to  the  right,  passing  the  church 
of  San  Marco  and  entering  a  number  of  narrow  and 
squalid  streets,  which  might  more  properly  have  been 
called  lanes,  having  no  sidewalks  for  pedestrians,  they 
were  almost  filled  by  the  carriage ;  they  soon  however, 
emerged  into  an  immense  semi-circular  space,  where 
lay  the  ruins  of  the  Theatre  of  Marcellus.  They  were 
now  within  one  block  of  the  Tiber,  and  turned  into  a 
somewhat  broader  street  than  those  previously  trav- 
ersed ;  following,  this  for  half  a  dozen  squares,  passing 
the  Temple  of  Fortuna  Virilis^  it  brought  them  to  the 
Ponte  Motto,  across  which  the  carriage  now  moved  at  a 
slow  pace,  giving  its  occupant  an  opportunity  to  look 
at  this  ancient  structure,  a  part  only  of  which  remains, 
it  being  eked  out,  as  it  were,  and  joined  to  the  opposite 
shore  by  a  suspension  bridge ;  through  the  interstices 
of  tliis,  the  muddy,  yellow  river  flowed  below,  plainly 
visible. 

They  were  now  in  the  Trastevere;  a  short  drive  of 
eight  or  nine  blocks  brought  them  by  the  ancient  Basi- 
lica of  St.  Cecilia,  built  in  the  year  230  by  Pope  Urban  I. 
Its  low,  broad,  quaint  portico,  supported  by  simple,  and 
sturdy  Ionic  columns,  jutted  well  out  into  the  street, 
which  was,  however,  spacious  at  this  point.  The  car- 
riage turned  the  first  corner  beyond,  to  the  west  of 
the  Basilica,  and  halted  at  the  huge  entrance  arch  of 
what  had  been  a  superb  palace  in  its  day,  built  of 
white   marble,  discolored  by   age  and  neglect,  rising 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  379 

six  full  stories,  and  looming  above  all  other  buildings  in 
the  vicinity. 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  feelings  which  agitated 
our  hero  during  this  long  drive;  joy  was,  of  course, 
predominant,  bu^  this  was  not  unmixed  with  fear  and 
anxiety,  fear  as  to  the  reception  he  might  meet  with 
from  Miss  Stuart,  for  the  fact  of  her  long  silence  might 
be  justly  interpreted  as  evincing  an  indifferent,  if  not 
unfriendly    feeling    towards    him.      Indifference    was 
almost  as  hard  to  bear  as  would  be  positive  enmity,  if 
so  fair  and  gentle  a  creature  could  be  supposed  to  har- 
bor for  an  instant  the  latter  sentiment  against  any  being. 
He  also  felt  grave  anxiety  as  to  her  health  and   cir- 
cumstances ;  he  had  been  in  Rome  before  and  knew,  in 
a  vague  kind  of  fashion,  that  this  portion  of  the  city 
was   considered  undesirable  as  a  residence.     He  was 
fully  confirmed  in  this  impression  by  the  squalid  char- 
acter of  both  houses  and  people   as  he  passed  along ; 
the  farther  the  carriage  advanced  the  more  dilapidated 
became  the    surroundings  and  the  more   importunate 
were  the  beggars.      After   crossing   the  bridge   these 
rascals  became  intolerable,  following  the  vehicle  and 
even  climbing  upon  the  seat  behind;  nor  did  they  heed 
the  lash,  which  the  driver  freely  applied  to  their  heads 
and  shoulders,  showering  upon  them,  at  the  same  time, 
most  fearful  imprecations  —  which  the  beggars  were  not 
slow  to  return  —  in  mongrel  Italian.    The  scamps  knew 
from  previous  experience,  that  the  carriage  would  not 
be  likely  to  proceed  much  farther  without  stopping, 
then   would   come    their,   not    golden,  but   silver,  or 
copper  opportunity,  as  the  liberality  of   the  traveller 
might  elect. 


380  THE     EARL     OF    MAY  FIELD. 

In  this  instance,  however,  they  had  miscalculated; 
our  hero  was  an  experienced  traveller,  he  sat  in  the 
carriage  after  it  halted,  until  he  learned  from  the  driver 
—  who,  as  it  happened,  had  brought  Miss  Stuart  here 
when  she  moved  from  the  hotel  —  whe«e  her  apartments 
were  located.  He  then  dismissed  him,  with  orders  to 
return  in  two  hours,  as  he  did  not  wish  to  have  a  legion 
of  lazzaroni  collected  in  the  street  during  the  time  he 
might  be  occupied  within;  ordering  the  driver,  there- 
fore, to  depart  at  once,  he  sprang  suddenly  from  the 
vehicle  and  rushed  within  the  entrance,  followed  by 
curses  mthout  number,  as  the  wretches  saw  themselves 
cheated  of,  what  they  considered,  legitimate  prey. 

Arrived  within  the  huge  portal,  our  hero. paused  for 
breath,  and  to  look  for  the  stairs,  as  it  was  somewhat 
obscure  to  his  eyes,  having  entered  so  hastily  from  the 
bright  glare  without.  He  was  met  by  an  old  woman 
who  apparently  was  —  at  anj^  rate  he  took  her  for  —  the 
concierge^  and  asked  in  French  for  Miss  Stuart.  She  did 
not  understand  him,  and  as  he  could  not  speak  Italian, 
he  determined  to  lose  no  more  time,  proceeding  at  once 
to  the  stairs,  now  plainly  visible.  The  old  creature 
was  not  to  be  so  easily  satisfied,  and  persisted  in 
attempting  to  stop  the  stranger,  seizing  his  coat  as  she 
continued  to  babble  unintelligible  words  in  his  ears. 
He  threw  her  a  piece  of  money,  extricated  his  coat  by 
a  jerk,  and  jumped  upon  the  stairs,  repeating  the  name 
of  Miss  Stuart  in  French. 

The  crone  hastened  after,  first  picking  up  the  coin, 
and  hobbling  behind  as  fast  as  her  feeble  limbs  per- 
mitted, wildly  gesticulating,  and  pointing  at  intervals 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  381 

back  to  the  street.  Conjecturing  that  she  wished  to 
oppose  his  entrance,  the  earl  kept  well  in  advance  up 
the  staircase,  fully  bent  on  finding  his  own  way.  The 
babel  of  sounds  produced  by  the  unwonted  arrival  of  a 
carriage,  joined  to  the  shouts  of  the  beggars  as  they 
moved  off  in  search  of  more  profitable  victims,  and  the 
altercation  between  the  earl  and  the  old  woman,  must 
have  disturbed  some  one  above,  for  light  steps  could 
now  be  heard  descending  the  stone  staircase. 

Our  hero's  heart  beat  violently  as  he  surmised  it 
might  be* she  whom  he  was  in  quest  of;  this  idea  was 
soon  dispelled  by  the  appearance  on  the  landing  above 
him  of  a  young  female,  who  inquired  in  French,  and 
with  much  asperity,  the  cause  of  all  the  noise.  Before 
the  earl  could  speak  the  old  woman  had  said  something 
in  Italian  which  he  could  not  understand,  but  it  pro- 
duced a  strong  effect  on  the  young  woman.  She 
sprang  quickly  to  meet  him,  asking,  anxiously,  in 
French,  what  he  wished  with  Mademoiselle  ? 

He  at  once  decided  this  to  be  her  faithful  maid,  of 
whom  he  had  heard  at  tlie  hotel,  he,  therefore,  with  a 
frank  smile,  briefly  replied  in  her  own  language  that  he 
was  ''  Mr.  Carew,  an  old  friend,  from  America,  who 
had  come  to  see  Miss  Stuart." 

The  faithful  Mignon,  for  it  was  she,  burst  into  tears 
of  joy;  she  almost  embraced  him,  seizing  his  hands  in 
both  of  hers  and  covering  them  with  kisses,  murmuring 
hysterically  between  sobs,  in  mingled  French  and 
broken  English : 

"  It  is  he  I  il  est  arrive  ;  U  Monsieur  has  come  at  last. 
Ah !    Mademoiselle  will  be  so  glad  to  see  Monsieur ! 


382  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

Elle  est  desolSe  pour  vous  voir!  0,  del!  le  hon  Dieu  a 
nous  protegees  !  " 

These  words  were  full  of  music  to  the  hearer ;  he 
saw  at  once  that  he  would  be  welcome,  na}^,  more,  that 
he  was  beloved.  This  was  as  clear  as  though  he  had 
been  informed  through  the  sweet  lips  of  his  mistress 
herself;  the  maid  would  never  have  uttered  these 
expressions  had  she  not  been  fully  assured  of  the  senti- 
ments of  the  young  lady. 

"But,  where  is  Mademoiselle?"  said  he,  impatient 
to  see  her  once  more. 

"  Do  not  be  too  hasty,  you  will  alarm  her.  Mademoi- 
selle is  out.  I  will  call  her ;  come.  Monsieur,  sit  down 
and  wait  a  little  while,  said  the  girl,  leading  the  way 
up  stairs,  murmuring  to  herself,  "  ah,  my  dream !  did 
I  not  say  he  would  come  ?  and  mademoiselle  did  not 
believe  me ! " 

"  Tell  me  where  she  is,  before  we  go  up  stairs ! " 

"  She  is  gone  to  the  church,  Monsieur  !  " 

"What  church?" 

"  The  basilica  of  St.  Cecilia,  Monsieur !  She  goes 
there,  pauvre  ange^  every  day  to  pray  the  blessed  saint 
to  intercede  for  her,  and  to  send  you  quickly,  sir;  and 
you  see  her  prayers  have  been  answered  !  Who  could 
refuse  anything  to  so  sweet  a  saint?" 

"St.  Cecilia!"  cried  our  hero,  delighted  beyond 
measure  at  the  words  he  had  just  heard. 

"  Oui^  Monsieur^  it  is  just  around  the  corner;  I  will 
go  at  once  for  her !  " 

"  Stay !  I  will  go  myself,  wait  you  here.  I  will 
bring  her  back  ;  do  not  go,  but  let  me  !  " 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  383 

Oui^  Monsieur,  go  quickly,  you  may  meet  her," 
replied  the  quick-witted  girl,  divining  at  once  it  would 
be  better  to  let  him  go,  as  they  would  prefer  to  have  no 
witnesses  at  their  first  meeting. 

The  earl  descended  the  stairs,  two  at  a  time,  and 
passed  the  old  woman  without  interruption.  She  now 
courtesied  low,  evidently  satisfied  that  all  was  right, 
since  she  witnessed  the  scene  between  him  and  the 
maid. 

As  our  hero  entered  the  street  and  turned  towards 
the  church,  he  looked  eagerly  about,  thinking  he  might 
meet  the  dear  form  so  anxiously  sought,  but  not  a  soul 
was  within  sight;  even  the  beggars  had  retired  in 
disgust.  He  pressed  forward  with  hasty,  uneven  steps, 
scarcely  noticing  where  he  walked.  He  had  no  eyes  for 
the  venerable  remains  of  antiquity,  scattered  in  profu- 
sion about  this  ancient  quarter  of  the  eternal  city. 

His  heart  was  in  his  throat,  and  his  soul  was  filled 
with  joyous,  tumultuous  thoughts  ;  he  noAV  felt  assured 
as  to  the  reception  he  would  meet  with,  and  was  eager 
to  clasp  the  dear  one  to  his  heart,  to  love  and  cherish 
henceforth:  bright  visions  too  of  a  happy  home,  graced 
by  his  fair  bride  who  would  be  an  honor  to  her  future 
high  station,  flitted  in  glittering  array,  crowding  each 
other,  through  his  happy  soul. 

He  soon  stepped  under  the  ancient  portico,  pushing 
aside  the  heavy  leathern  curtains,  common  to  Italian 
churches  in  place  of  doors,  and  entered  the  old  basilica 
with  a  throbbing  heart. 

The  interior  was  dim  with  the  dust  of  ages  gathered 
in,  and  obstructing  the  light  as  it  came  through   the 


384  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

quaint  old  windows ;  he  glanced  nervously  around  and 
for  a  moment  could  see  no  one.  Advancing  however  a 
few  steps,  he  beheld  a  black,  female  figure,  kneeling 
before  the  high  altar,  beneath  which  was  the  superb 
reclining  statute  of  Saint  Cecilia,  a  thrill  passed  through 
his  frame. 

"It  is  she!" 

He  advanced  slowly  and  with  noiseless  tread,  fearing 
to  disturb  her  devotions. 

"  Sweet  one,"  murmured  he,  surveying  the  supple 
elegant  form,  its  chaste  outlines  dearly  defined  by  the 
strong  contrast  between  the  black  dress  and  the  snow 
white  marble  of  the  statue  and  altar.  "Perhaps  she 
is  even  now  thinking  of  and  praying  for  my  unworthy 
self." 

The  kneeling  girl  remained  motionless,  absorbed; 
the  death-like  silence  and  the  deserted  church  were 
most  solemn  and  awe  inspiring. 

"  This  is  not  the  place  to  meet  her  in.  for  the  first 
time,"  thought  he.     "  I  will  wait  outside." 

He  accordingly  retreated  noiselessly  as  he  had 
entered,  and  stood  under  the  portico  to  await  her  com- 
ing, peeping  within  at  short  intervals  to  assure  himself 
she  was  jet  there. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait ;  in  a  few  moments  could  be 
heard  her  light  step  on  the  mosaic  pavement  as  she 
slowly  approached ;  he  gently  lifted  the  heavy  curtain 
to  make  room  for  her,  and  stood,  hat  in  hand,  smiling — 
with  the  frank,  cordial  smile  of  the  Thomas  Carew  of 
other  days. 

She  came  out. 

He  dropped  the  curtain  and  held  out  both  arms. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  385 

With  a  startled,  joyful  cry,  sweet  Mary  Stuart 
rushed  to  the  manly  bosom,  and  was  clasped  in  those 
strong,  protecting  arms,  shedding  tears  of  joy  as  she 
nestled  closer  and  more  closely,  throwing  aside  all 
restraint,  thus  evincing  at  once  the  depth  of  her  affec- 
tion, and  the  deep  sense  of  isolation  and  despair  she 
had  experienced. 

For  a  few  moments  neither  spoke,  their  hearts  were 
too  full  for  utterance ;  both  inwardly  thanked  the  good 
God  who  had  at  last  brought  these  two,  so  long  sepa- 
rated, together. 

She  was  the  first  to  move,  attempting  in  confusion  to 
gently  extricate  herself  from  the  strong  embrace  in 
which  she  was  enclosed.     He  exclaimed  : 

"  Not  so,  dear  one  !     We  meet  to  part  no  more." 

She  looked  up  into  his  affectionate,  cordial  eyes,  bent 
to  look  into  hers,  and  smiled,  still  silent. 

"  Come  !  "  said  he,  drawing  her  to  an  obscure  corner 
against  the  adjoining  wall,  which  jutted  beyond  and  at 
right  angles  to  the  portico. 

"  Now  you  have  not  said  one  word  yet.  I  have  not 
heard  your  sweet  voice  in  years ;  let  then  the  first 
sound  be  the  sweetest  music  to  my  soul." 

"  Here,  on  this  sacred  spot,  consecrated  by  the  dust 
of  ages  and  by  the  footsteps  of  the  early  saints  who 
now  look  down  from  heaven  upon  us  —  here  plight 
your  troth.     Say  you  will  be  my  wife  !  " 

Without  an  instant  of  doubt  or  hesitation,  in  a  clear, 
sweet  voice,  she  answered  : 

"If  you  will  have  me,  dear  Tom,  I  will  be  your 
wife!" 

24 


386  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

His  answer  was  a  shower  of  kisses  upon  her  hair, 
her  forehead,  and  then  upon  the  dear  lips,  which  had 
so  simply  and  frankly  expressed  her  undying  love. 

"  Now,"  said  she,  extricating  herself  with  a  blush, 
"  come  to  my  poor  liome,  this  place  is  too  public." 

He  gave  her  liis  arm.  Upon  it  she  leaned  as  they 
went  along,  with  firm  confidence,  feeling  that  hence- 
forth she  was  not  alone. 

Chattering  together  gayly,  both  speaking  at  once  and 
scarcely  knowing  what  they  said,  the  affianced  lovers 
came  to  the  entrance  of  the  lad3''s  home. 

Here  were  most  of  the  beggars  again!  It  was  evi- 
dent that  they  had  left  some  one  to  watch  and  report 
the  reappearance  of  their  victim  —  for  your  Roman 
beggars  have  both  energy  and  determination  —  with  the 
intention  of  again  making  a  combined  assault  on  his 
purse. 

This  time  they  were  more  fortunate,  for  what  mortal 
with  his  promised  bride  upon  his  arm,  could  refuse 
largesse  ? 

Our  hero,  therefore,  emptied  his  pockets  of  small 
change  and  threw  it  with  liberal  hand  among  the 
scrambling  wretches.  The  fair  girl  laughed  gayly  as 
they  tumbled  over  each  other  and  fought  for  the  coins, 
clapping  her  hands  meanwhile. 

Then  they  went  up  stairs  and  were  met  on  the  landing 
outside  the  door  of  Miss  Stuart's  room  by  the  maid, 
who  was  all  smiles  and  courtesies. 

'*  This,  Tom,"  said  the  young  lady,  taking  the  blush- 
ing maid  by  the  hand  and  kissing  her  affectionately, 
"  is  my  dear  friend  —  I  will  not  say  servant,  Mignon  — 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  387 

who  has  been  so  faithful,  and  but  for  whose  care  and 
affectionate  solicitude,  I  do  not  believe,  under  heaven, 
you  would  have  met  me  again." 

"  Then  Mignon  must  be  my  friend,  too,"  cried  he, 
seizing  the  girl  before  she  could  move,  and  kissing  her. 
'^  She  shall  be  richly  rewarded  !  " 

"  You  scamp !  is  this  the  reward  you  propose,  and 
before  my  face,  too?"  exclaimed  the  young  lady, 
though  with  beaming  eyes,  showing  how  grateful  she 
felt  for  his  appreciation  of  the  girl's  services. 
'  His  only  reply  was  the  infliction  on  her  own  lips  of 
the  same  penalty  to  which  the  girl  had  been  subjected. 
To  cover  her  blushes.  Miss  Stuart  proposed  to  enter  the 
room,  which  they  now  did,  hand  in  hand. 

Mignon  meanwhile  descended  below,  to  gossip  with 
the  old  woman  over  the  wonderful  event  of  the  day. 

"  Now,  sweetheart,"  said  our  hero,  after  a  glance 
around  the  poor  but  scrupulously  neat  room,  an  epitome 
in  itself  of  her  privations  and  troubles,  "  tell  me  all 
about  yourself,  from  the  day  —  Do  you  remember  it, 
love? — when  we  parted  on  the  river  bank  at  Wood- 
bourne,  to  the  present  time  ?  " 

^'  Do  I  remember  it,  indeed,"  said  she,  casting  an 
affectionate  glance  upon  him,  which  was  repaid  by  a 
caress. 

She  then  told  her  story;  but  as  we  have  already 
acquainted  the  reader  with  what  she  related  to  her 
lover,  it  will  not  be  needful  to  repeat  it.  As  she  con- 
cluded, he  clasped  her  in  his  arms  in  a  long  embrace, 
fully  and  lovingly  returned  on  her  part.  He  poured 
soothing  words  of  sympathy  and  love  into  her  willing 


388  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

ears,  and  drew  bright  pictures  of  the  life  they  would 
have  in  his  modest  home  in  England. 

For  when  the  earl  discovered  that  she  had  heard 
nothing,  read  nothing  —  so  isolated  and  sorrowful 
was  her  life  —  of  his  good  fortune,  he  hastily  deter- 
mined upon  practicing  a  harmless  deception  upon  her, 
by  concealing  his  rank. 

He  told  her  he  was  much  reduced  in  fortune,  and 
becoming  disgusted  with  America,  had  settled  in 
Mayfield,  his  father's  birthplace  in  England,,  and  was 
now  leading  the  quiet  life  of  a  country-  gentleman. 

The  lovel}'  girl  heard  all  with  sympathy,  and  promised 
herself  unbroken  pleasure  in  leading  such  an  existence, 
sa3'ing  she  had  never  been  in  England,  but  that  the 
pictures  she  had  seen  and  the  accounts  she  had  read  of 
rural  life  in  that  country  had  always  seemed  to  her  the 
summit  of  earthly  happiness. 

"  Ah  !  sweet  one  !  "  said  he,  "  the  pictures  jou  have 
seen,  and  the  books  you  have  read,  are  principally 
descriptive  of  the  lives  led  by  the  j^roud  nobles  of  Eng- 
land. Poor  Thomas  Carew  can  offer  nothing  so  fine 
to  his  wife.  Had  you  not  better  reconsider  the  step 
you  propose  taking  before  it  is  irrevocable  ?  Poverty 
is  a  dreadful  thing!" 

She  sprang  up  and  stood  before  him,  with  crimson 
cheeks,  her  beautiful  eyes  flashing,  and  bosom  heaving 
with  generous  emotion,  as  she  answered  in  the  words 
of  Ruth  to  Xaomi :  "  Withersoever  thou  shalt  go  I 
will  go,  and  where  thou  shalt  dwell  I  also  will  dwell. 
Thy  people  shall  be  mj-  people,  and  thy  God  my  God." 

There   was   no  answer  to  be  made  to  this;  so  be 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  389 

clasped  her  in  his  arms,  and  his  conscience  smote  him 
for  the  deception  he  was  practising  upon  this  true  and 
loving  heart. 

"  But  the  spirit  of  unrest  was  strong  within ;"  he 
said,  instead  of  avowing  all  as  he  should  have  done, 

"  You  promised  much,  my  love,  in  those  last  words. 
I  am  not  a  Catholic,  you  know?" 

"  Do  we  not  however,  worship  the  same  God?  You 
are  a  Christian,  I  have  heard  you  say  so." 

"  Yes,  sweet  one,  I  am  a  Christian;  but  I  belong  to 
no  denomination." 

"  You  will  become  a  Catholic,"  said  she  with  fond 
affection,  caressing  him,  "  When  you  know,  as  I  do, 
what  the  soothing  arms  of  Holy  Mother  church  can  do 
for  you  in  times  of  trouble  and  affliction,  you  will 
become  a  Catholic.     Ah,  yes  !  " 

"  Well,  well,  dearest  one,"  replied  he  gently,  "  we 
shall  see.  I  am  open  to  conviction,  as  should  be  every 
fair  minded  man." 

Thus  did  the}^  commune.  Time  had  slipped  by 
unheeded,  until  it  was  now  dark.  The  carriage  had 
returned  long  since  and  the  horses  could  be  heard 
clattering  their  hoofs  on  the  pavement  beneath. 

Miss  Stuart  had  lighted  a  candle  and  on  looking  out, 
said  regretfully : 

"You  must  go  now,  Tom;  it  is  getting  late  and  you 
have  a  long  drive." 

"  What  ?  do  you  wish  to  get  rid  of  me  so  soon?  " 

"No,  you  knoAv  full  well  that  I  do  not;  but  it  is  time 
to  go,"  said  slie,  blushing,  and  thinking  but  i:iot  saying, 
of  how  people  might  talk. 


390  THE     EARL    OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  will  go  as  soon  as  you  have 
named  the  day,  for  I  must  get  back  to  England,  but  not 
without  my  prize." 

She  was  of  course,  horrified  at  this,  but  he  only 
wished  to  familiarize  her  with  the  idea,  and  did  not 
press  it  further  that  night.  He  soon  rose  to  depart, 
and  she  accompanied  him  part  of  the  way  down  with 
the  candle,  to  light  the  otherwise  dark  stairs. 

Mignon  saw  them  coming,  from  below,  and  came  up. 
The  lover  took  the  candle  from  his  mistress  and  handed 
it  to  the  maid,  kissing  the  former  good  night  at  the  same 
time.  Mignon  discreetly  turned  her  back  to  them 
and  descended  a  few  steps,  waiting  to  light  the  gentle- 
man to  his  carriage. 

Sweet  Mary  Stuart  stood  above  in  the  dark,  calling 
in  her  silvery  voice  to  him  to  come  early  on  the  morrow, 
to  which  it  may  be  imagined  he  gave  a  ready  assent. 

On  the  last  flight  of  the  stairs,  he  halted  for  a 
moment  and  gave  the  faitliful  girl  a  roll  of  Bank  of 
England  notes,  to  use  in  the  service  of  her  mistress, 
knowing  that  she  must  be  in  need  and  taking  this 
method  of  supplying  her  wants,  a«  she  most  certainly 
would  not  have  taken  money  from  him. 

The  quick-witted  gii-1  understood,  and  thanked  him 
with  tears  in  her  eyes,  thus  showing  beyond  a  doubt 
how  much  her  young  mistress  needed  aid. 

''  Spend  as  much  of  it  as  you  can  to-night,  Mignon, 
before  she  knows  you  have  it.     Good-night." 

"  Oui^  Monsieur^  je  comprends.     Bon  soir. 


THE     EAKL    OF    MAYFIELD.  391 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

UNDER     FALSE     PRETENCES. 

WHEN  the  earl  got  back  to  his  hotel  it  was  quite 
late.  The  table  d/liote  was  over,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  wait  some  time  for  dinner.  It  was,  therefore, 
ordered  to  his  rooms,  when  ready. 

In  the  meantime,  he  told  Brandon  of  the  meeting 
with  Miss  Stuart  and  of  their  intention  to  marry.  The 
good  fellow  was  delighted  beyond  expression  at  this 
successful  issue  of  their  journey,  and  vowed  he  would 
joyfully  undergo  twice  the  fatigue  in  such  'a  cause.  By 
this  time  dinner  was  brought  in,  and  as  the  boy  was 
clearing  the  centre-table,  he  threw  a  card  on  the  floor. 
Brandon  picked  it  up  and  handed  it  to  his  friend, 
remarking  that  he  had  forgotten  to  mention  that  Lord 
Loftus,  the  British  Ambassador,  had  called. 

In  much  surprise,  the  earl  said  he  could  not  imagine 
why  so  important  a  personage  had  put  himself  to  the 
trouble  of  calling  upon  a  private  gentleman.  Then  it 
flashed  across  his  mind  that  Brandon  had  possibly  regis- 
tered his  real  rank,  instead  of  simple  Thomas  Carew,  as 
he  had  wished.  In  this  he  was  confirmed  by  his  secre- 
tary, who  said  he  was  tired  of  these  perpetual  disguises, 
and  could  see  no  earthly  reason  why  he  should  not  use 
his  titles,  the  more  especially  that  they  thereby  obtained 
much  consideration  on  all  sides  when  travelling. 

*'  Brandon,"  said  his  lordship,  with  much  irritation, 


392  THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  yoii  are  a  snob !  The  consideration  you  speak  of  is 
added  to  the  bill  and  is  a  mere  pretext  for  extortions. 
I  am  annoyed  at  this  discovery." 

He  then  told  him  that  Miss  Stuart  was  not  aware  of 
his  rank.  She  believed  him  to  be  in  somewhat  reduced 
circumstances,  and  that  he  had  retired  to  live  in  Eng- 
land from  motives  of  economy  and  chagrin  at  his  ill- 
success  in  America.  Now  this  discovery  would  not  fail 
to  reach  her,  and  thus  spoil  all. 

The  good  fellow  was  much  mortified  on  learning  this. 
It  had  not  occurred  to  him  for  a  moment  that  Miss 
Stuart  could  have  been  ignorant  of  her  lover's  rank, 
for  it  had  been  the  sensation  of  the  day.  The  press  of 
the  civilized  world  had  commented,  in  one  way  or 
another,  on  the  affair.  After  some  reflection,  he  in- 
quired whether  it  was  not  still  possible  to  carry  the 
matter  out?  The  lady  would  not  come  to  the  hotel 
until  after  the  wedding,  and  then  for,  perhaps,  only  a 
day  or  two.  She  would  not  be  at  all  likely  to  get  the 
news  while  in  her  present  abode,  for  she  had  no  visitors. 
It  was  true  the  servants  at  the  hotel  did  an  intolerable 
amount  of  "  milording ;  "  but  she  would  not  be  likely 
to  notice  this,  as  it  was  a  common  practice  in  Italy  to 
call  every  Englishman  ^'milord." 

Tlie  earl  at  first  caught  eagerly  at  this  jDroposition, 
but  finally  said : 

"I  do  not  see  how  it  can  be  managed.  There  is 
Lord  Loftus  in  the  way." 

"  He  will  not  see  ]\Iis.s  Stuart  before  you  are  married, 
and  then  his  call  will  be  a  mere  matter  of  form.  In 
the  natural  confusion  of  the  moment,  she  will  not  notice 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  393 

his  mode  of  address.  There  is  no  Lady  Loftus,  you 
know  ;  he  is  a  bachelor." 

"  You  are  mistaken  in  your  premises.  Lord  Loftus 
will  see  Miss  Stuart  before  the  wedding,  for  the  simple 
reason  that  we  will  be  married  at  the  Embassy,  and  he 
will  be  sure  to  congratulate  her  in  unmistakable  terms," 
replied  the  earl. 

"  I  thought  the  lady  was  a  Catholic.  I  remember 
her  well  when  a  child.     She  certainly  was  one  then." 

"  If  such  is  the  case,  you  may  rest  assured  that  she 
will  not  be  satisfied  unless  the  ceremony  is  performed 
in  her  own  church.  Marriage  is  a  sacrament  wdth  us," 
said  Brandon,  who  was  a  Catholic  himself. 

*'  I  am  perfectly  aware  of  that.  She  is  a  devoted 
Catholic  and  Avill,  doubtless,  wish  to  have  the  ceremony 
performed  in  her  own  church.  I  am  quite  willing  it 
should  be  done,  but  this  is  not  all.  I  am  not  a  Catholic. 
You  are  aware,  also,  that  my  position  will  require  every 
possible  formality  in  so  important  a  matter.  I  am  not 
familiar  with  the  laws  on  this  subject,  and  have,  there- 
fore, concluded  to  be  on  the  safe  side  and  have  the 
ceremony  performed,  first  at  the  church  of  her  selection, 
and  then  at  the  Embassy,  by  the  Episcopal  minister, 
and  in  the  presence  of  Lord  Loftus." 

"  I  think  you  are  quite  right,"  replied  Brandon ; 
"  but,  if  such  has  been  your  intention,  how  could  you 
have  concealed  your  rank  from  Lord  Loftus?  It  is  just 
as  well,  after  all,  that  he  called  upon  you." 

"  I  intended  to  be  married  as  Thomas  Carew." 

"I  do  not  think  it  Avould  have  been  safe.  Some 
questions  might  have  arisen  hereafter  as  to  the  validity 


394  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

of  the  marriage.  But  I  see  no  difficulty  about  the 
matter.  Be  married  as  Thomas  Carew  in  the  church, 
and  when  you  come  to  the  Embassy,  be  there  married 
as  the  Earl  of  Mayfield.  Take  Lord  Loftus  into  your 
confidence.  He's  a  fine,  genial  old  fellow.  I  had  some 
conversation  with  him  this  morning  —  told  him  the 
whole  story  —  and  I  warrant  you  he  will  manage  the 
affair  so  well  that  Miss  Stuart  will  suspect  nothing." 

"You  are  right,  after  all,  Brandon.  It,  perhaps, 
would  not  have  answered  to  be  married  in  both  places 
as  simple  Thomas  Carew.  I  think  it  can  be  managed 
in  some  way.  I  wdll  call  upon  Lord  Loftus  to-morrow, 
after  I  have  seen  Miss  Stuart.  And  now  let  us  to  bed, 
old  fellow,  for  I  am  tired  out." 

"  Good  night,  my  noble  lord.  May  pleasant  visions 
hover  around  your  pillow,"  answered  the  secretary,  as 
he  entered  his  own  room,  adjoining,  and  closed  the 
door. 

The  first  thoughts  of  our  hero,  as  he  awoke  in  the 
morning,  were,  as  in  duty  bound,  of  his  fair  misti'ess 
and  her  parting  injunction  to  call  early.  He  sprang 
out  of  bed  and  found  he  had  slept  very  late.  He 
opened  the  door  leading  into  Brandon's  room  and  dis- 
covered that  worthy  fast  asleep  still. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  he  would  have  closed 
the  door  again  and  left  his  friend  to  enjoy  his  slumbers, 
but  he  was  impatient,  as  all  lovers  are,  at  first,  to  be  off. 
He,  therefore,  shook  his  secretary  and  told  him  to  get 
up,  and  that  he  would,  in  the  mean  time,  order  break- 
fast to  be  ready  as  soon  as  they  were  dressed — not 
forgetting  to  send  word  to  the  office  requesting  that  the 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  395 

carriage  he  had  used  on  the  previous  day  be  in  readiness 
to  take  him  to  the  same  place. 

This  energetic  and  systematic  mode  of  proceeding 
brought  the  lover,  within  two  hours  from  the  time  he 
had  gotten  out  of  his  bed,  into  the  presence  of  his  fair 
young  mistress,  who  had  already  been  to  church,  as  was 
her  custom  every  morning,  and  had  then  taken  her 
frugal  breakfast  and  was  waiting  to  receive  him. 

Mignon,  too,  w*as  there,  but  she  was  careful  to  be  out 
of  the  room  as  Monsieur  entered,  and  did  not,  there- 
fore, witness  the  salute  imprinted  on  the  fair  cheek  of 
her  mistress. 

After  some  preliminary  conversation  and  mutual  in- 
quiries as  to  the  health  of  each,  he  informed  Miss  Stuart 
that  his  carriage  was  below  and  he  wished  her  to  take  a 
drive  with  him.  She  gladly  consented,  and,  putting  on 
her  hat  and  gloves,  was  ready  to  go.  She  first,  how- 
ever, gently  rebuked  him  for  giving  the  money  to  her 
maid  on  the  previous  evening,  saying  that  there  was 
time  enough  for  such  matters,  and,  perhaps,  he  might 
repent  of  his  bargain  in  the  meantime. 

His  only  reply  was  an  affectionate  embrace,  returned 
by  her  with  equal  warmth ;  but  as  they  descended  the 
broad  stairs,  arm  in  arm,  she  again  expostulated  with 
him. 

"  So  much  money,  too,  as  you  gave  Mignon  !  Why, 
she  had  spent  some  of  it,  but  showed  me  more  than  a 
hundred  pounds  !  What  extravagance,  in  your  circum- 
stances ! " 

"  We  do  not  get  married  every  day,  and  there  is  some 
excuse,  therefore,  for  this  extravagance,  as  you  call  it. 


396  THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

But  I  am  not  so  badly  off  as  all  that,  sweet  one. 
Therefore,  give  yourself  no  uneasmess.  You  shall  have 
more  for  your  wedding  dress.  My  bride  must  look  as 
braw  as  possible." 

As  he  said  this,  he  handed  her  into  the  carriage,  and, 
having  ordered  the  driver  to  go  to  St.  Peter's,  seated 
himself  by  her  side. 

"  Tom,"  said  she,  blushing,  and  with  tears  in  her 
lovely  blue  eyes,  ''please  do  not  talk  just  now  of  wed- 
dings and  dressings,  so  soon  after  my  dear  father's 
death." 

He  slipped  his  arm  around  her,  and  replied  seriously : 

"  Mary,  my  own  I  my  own  sweet  love  !  we  have  duties 
to  perform  to  the  living  as  well  as  to  the  dead.  We  are 
both  peculiarl}^  placed,  being  both  alone  in  the  world, 
and,  but  for  each  other,  almost  friendless.  I  must 
return  to  England  very  soon.  I  came  here  solely  to 
seek  m}'  treasure.  She  cannot  be  left  to  lead  this 
lonel}'  life.  It  would  not  be  right ;  and,  besides,  your 
health  would  soon  suffer.  Indeed,  3-ou  are  pale  now, 
my  dearest.  Your  dear  father,  for  whom  you  know  I 
had  every  possible  love  and  veneration,  would  be  the 
very  first,  under  tlie  circumstances,  to  sanction  our 
immediate  union.  No,  sweetheart ;  all  the  arguments 
are  against  your  position  in  this  matter.  You  must 
return  to  England  as  ray  own  little  wedded  wife." 

This  was  unanswerable  —  she  was  silent.  He  pressed 
the  little  hand  as  it  lay  passively  in  his.  She  gently 
returned  the  caress  and  said,  in  a  low  voice  : 

"And  Mignon?" 

"  Mignon  is,  of  cour^se,  to  go  with  us  and  be  my  lady's 
maid." 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  397 

'^  My  lady's  maid,  indeed  !  Have  you  forgotten,  sir, 
that  you  told  me  last  niglit  you  were  in  reduced 
circumstances  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  say  exactly  that,  love.  I  meant  I  was  in 
com]3aratively  poor  circumstances,  for  you  will,  perhaps, 
remember  I  was  at  one  time  very  wealthy.  I  still  have 
enough,  however,  to  afford  the  small  luxury  of  a  maid, 
and  such  a  maid,  too,  as  Mignon,  to  my  wife." 

They  now  entered  within  the  colonnade  of  St. 
Peter's  and  drove  past  the  obelisk,  flanked  on  each  side 
by  its  superb  fountains,  forming  miniature  rainbows  as 
their  pellucid  waters  intercepted  the  rays  of  the  glorious 
Italian  sun,  whose  warm  beams  reminded  the  lovers  of 
their  own  native  South. 

They  then  ascended  under  the  grand  portico  and 
entered  the  temple.  Passing  around  to  the  right,  the 
lady  dipped  her  ungloved  finger  in  the  marble  font, 
supported  by  two  gigantic  cherubs,  and,  first  crossing 
herself,  extended  the  white  hand  to  him,  in  order  that 
he  might  moisten  his  finger  from  the  contact  and  cross 
himself  also.  Instead  of  doing  what  she  expected,  he 
bent  and  quickly  touched  it  with  his  lips. 

"  You  bad  fellow,"  cried  the  lady,  blushing  deeply, 
"in  this  sacred  place,  too  !  " 

"  What  have  I  done  wrong  ?  Did  you  not  wish  me 
to  kiss  it?" 

"  You  know  very  ^tell  what  I  Avanted  you  to  do." 

"But  I  am  not  a  Catholic,  you  know." 

"  That  is  true.  You  are,  however,  familiar  with 
Catliolic  customs,  and  you  know  the  proverb,  'When  in 
Rome,'  etc." 


398  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  Well,"  said  he,  with  an  air  of  contrition,  "  I  will  be 
better  next  time." 

They  continued  their  walk  around  the  great  basilica, 
conversing  in  an  ordinary  tone ;  for  so  vast  is  St. 
Peter's  that  sounds  of  even  moderate  laughter  do  not 
disturb  the  devotions  of  those  who  assist  at  the  services, 
which  are  continually  in  progress  at  some  one  or  more 
of  the  numerous  altars. 

The  lovers  went  slowly  around,  lost  in  admiration  of 
first  one,  and  then  another  of  the  innumerable  master- 
pieces of  art  scattered  about  in  boundless  profusion. 
As  they  passed  the  great  bronze  statue  of  St.  Peter, 
sitting  and  holding  the  keys.  Miss  Stuart  touched  the 
well-worn  projecting  toe  w^ith  her  hand  and  then  carried 
it  to  her  lips.  Her  lover  gallantly  kissed  the  toe  thus 
honored,  whereat  the  lady  frowned.  This,  however, 
he  pretended  not  to  see. 

They  passed  under  the  great  dome  without  stopping, 
both  having  visited  St.  Peter's  before,  and  proceeded 
on  their  walk  until  they  arrived  at  the  end  of  the 
great  nave.  Here  they  halted  before  the  gorgeous 
tribune  of  St.  Peter.  The  lady  knelt  to  pour  out  her 
thanks  to  God  and  to  invoke  his  blessing  on  their  future 
lives,  for  she  looked  upon  their  union  as  being  now 
settled.  She  also  pra3'ed  earnestly  for  the  conversion 
to  the  true  church  of  the  loved  one. 

Her  lover  stood  beside  her  for  some  moments,  and 
then,  as  if  moved  by  a  sudden  impulse,  he,  too,  dropped 
on  his  knees  and  prayed  long  and  earnestly.  Who 
knows,  on  this  earth,  which  of  the  two  prayers  was 
most  acceptable  in  Heaven — that  of  the  pure  maiden, 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  399 

firm  in  her  belief  of  tlie  pretensions  of  the  one,  true 
church,  or  that  of  the  man,  strong  in  his  noble  senti- 
ments of  right  and  wrong,  guided  only  by  conscience, 
and  fully  convinced  that,  so  long  as  he  was  actuated  by 
the  essential  spirit  of  Christianity,  it  made  no  difference 
in  Heaven  as  to  the  mere  form  of  worship  ?  This  is  a 
question  which  can  never  be  answered  here  below. 
We  will  not,  therefore,  attempt  to  solve  it. 

As  the  earl  rose,  he  found  Miss  Stuart  already  stand- 
ing. She  looked  at  him  with  thankful  eyes,  moistened 
with  tears.  She  had  strong  hopes  of  bringing  him 
around  in  time. 

They  now  turned  their  steps  in  the  direction  of  the 
entrance,  and  only  stopped  to  admire  the  noble,  pon- 
tifical altar,  with  its  curious  and  massive  twisted  bronze 
columns,  under  the  great  dome.  As  they  were  again 
about  to  step  on  the  porch,  they  came  to  the  tomb 
of  the  royal  Stuarts  —  the  last  of  the  race  being  in- 
terred here.  The  coincidence  of  the  name  with  that 
of  his  affianced  bride  caught  the  earl's  fancy,  and  he 
stopped  to  look  at  the  inscription. 

"Do  you  know,"  said  she,  "that  we  claim  alliance 
with  the  royal  Stuarts  ?  " 

"  I  am  aware,"  said  he,  "  that  many  Scottish  families 
of  that  name  claim  to  be  their  descendants." 

"My  poor  father  was  very  proud  of  his  blood.  I 
have  his  pedigree  and  will  sh,ow  it  to  you." 

"  Thanks,  love,"  replied  he.  "  I  am,  however,  satis- 
fied with  you  as  you  are,  without  the  pedigree.  Unless, 
indeed,"  continued  he,  stopping  short,  with  affected 
humility,  "  the  royal  blood  disdains  to  mix  with  that  of 
plain  Tliomas  Carew." 


400  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  Oh !    nonsense ! "    cried   she,  tugging   at  his  arm 
"Come,  we  must  go." 

They  re-entered  the  carriage  and  were  rapidly  driven 
through  that  squalid  portion  of  Rome  adjacent  to  the 
Vatican,  and  known  as  the  Leonine  City ;  thence  by 
the  Castle  of  St.  Angelo  and  over  the  bridge,  at  its 
base,  of  the  same  name.  Turning  sharply  to  the  left, 
they  came  into  the  Via  de  Condotti^  which  took  them  in 
a  straight  line  to  the  Corso.  Through  this  street  they 
soon  reached  the  Piazza  del  Popolo^  and  drove  up  the 
beautiful  slopes  to  the  top  of  the  Pincian.  They  did 
not  get  out  of  the  vehicle,  but  sat  for  some  time  admi- 
ring the  lovely  and  historic  views  in  every  direction, 
inhaling,  meanwhile,  deep  draughts  of  the  balmy  air, 
soft  as  an  English  midsummer.  The  earl  now  ordered 
the  driver  to  go  to  the  Colosseum,  nearly  two  miles 
directly  south  of  their  present  position. 

At  the  famous  Flavian  ampitheatre  the  lovers  de- 
scended for  a  stroll  through  the  huge  ruin.  The  earl 
sought  the  first  opportunity  to  ■  draw  his  mistress  into 
the  sheltering  recess  of  a  crumbling  arch  and  pressed 
her  to  name  the  day  on  which  they  should  be  united* 
divining  that  she  by  this  time  had  reflected  over  their 
conversation  during  the  beginning  of  the  ride  and  would 
be  prepared  to  give  an  answer. 

He  was  right.  She  hesitated  a  few  moments,  blushed, 
looked  down  and  replied,  in  a  low  and  tremulous  voice, 
that  she  saw  no  alternative,  paiuful  as  a  union,  even 
with  him  would  be,  following  so  soon  on  her  father's 
death.  She  concluded  b}^  saying  it  should  be  when  he 
liked. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  401 

"  Brave  girl ! "  cried  he,  pressing  her  to  his  bosom. 
"  Your  answer  is  just  what  I  expected.  Let  me  name 
the  day  after  to-morrow,  love  ?  " 

"  Oh !  that  is  too  soon,  Tom !  I  must  make  some 
little  preparation,  you  know." 

"  No,  I  do  not  know.  I  am  ready  to  take  you  just  as 
you  are ! " 

"  In  this  shabby  dress !  I  do  not  object  to  the  color," 
continued  she,  glancing  at  the  deep  black,  "but  it  should 
at  least  be  a  new  one." 

"  Well,  say  a  day  later.  I  must  get  back  to  England 
as  soon  as  possible." 

"  Three  days,  love,"  pleaded  she. 

"  As  you  will,  my  bonnie  lassie.  That  will  be  on 
Saturday.  On  Monday,  then,  we  will  hie  for  merry 
England,"  said  he,  kissing  her. 

"  Where  shall  it  be,  dearest.  You  know  now  that 
I  am  an  Englishman  and  also  a  Protestant.  We  must 
be  married  at  the  Embassy ;  but  as  3'ou  will  doubtless 
also  wish  the  ceremony  performed  in  your  church,  it 
will  be  necessary  for  you  to  fix  the  place  and  hour." 

''  Then  let  it  be  first  performed  in  the  basilica  of  St. 
Cecilia,"  said  she,  blushing. 

"  Where  we  met.     Good.     I  thought  so." 

This  important  matter  arranged  to-  the  mutual  satis- 
faction of  the  lovers,  they  returned  to  the  lady's 
lodgings,  —  passing  under  the  arch  of  Titus. 

As  the}^  ascended  the  stairs,  the}^  met  Mignon,  and 
the  earl  at  once  broke  the  news  to  her  of  the  intended 
ceremony  on  Saturday. 

"  Man  Dieu!''  cried  she,  throw^ing  up  her  hands  with 
25 


402  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

an  expression  of  horror,  ^'-mais  cest  impossible,  it  is 
impossible  ;  Mademoiselle  has  no  dress." 

Miss  Stuart  explained,  there  would  be  time  enough 
in  which  to  get  a  plain  dress  like  hers,  made. 

"  Like  yours  I  "  exclaimed  Mignon.  "  Does  Made- 
moiselle mean  that  she  will  be  marrie  in  a  black  dress  ? 
0,  del!   0,  del!'' 

Remonstrances  and  explanations  were  alike  thrown 
away  on  the  faithful  and  affectionate  creature.  She 
would  not  hear  of  such  an  enormity.  The  -saints  in 
heaven  would  frown  upon  the  wedding ;  it  would  be 
followed  by  misfortune. 

At  this  juncture,  the  old  conderge  and  several  of  the 
lodgers  —  all  Italians,  and  most  of  them  were  w^ves  and 
daughters  of  respectable  tradesmen  —  came  on  the  scene, 
as  all  of  this  had  been  enacted  on  the  staircase. 

These  good  people  joined  their  voices  to  that  of  the 
maid,  when  they  learned  what  was  in  the  wind,  and 
altogether  made  such  an  uproar  that  the  lovers  were 
fain  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat  to  the  lady's  room.  Here, 
after  some  debate,  it  was  deemed  best  to  defer  to  the 
wishes  of  the  lodgers,  to  some  of  whom  Miss  Stuart 
was  under  obligations  for  kind  attentions,  as  well  as  to 
conform  to  the  customs  of  the  country.  It  became 
necessary  to  put  the  wedding  off  a  few  days  longer,  in 
order  that  the  fair  bride  might  be  becomingly  attired. 
Thursday,  therefore,  of  the  following  week  was  fixed 
upon. 

This  delay  was  also  the  more  readily  acquiesced  in, 
when  they  found  it  was  the  custom  in  the  Catholic 
church  to  have  the  banns  read  out  for  three  successive 
days  before  the  ceremony. 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELB.  403 

Mignon,  who  had  followed  them  and  was  waiting 
outside,  was  now  informed  of  the  change  in  the  pro- 
gramme. She 'shouted  for  joy,  and  clapping  her  hands, 
rushed  off  to  communicate  the  good  news  to  the  other 
inmates  of  the  old  palace. 

Our  hero  now  had  to  call  upon  the  British  Ambassa- 
dor, both  to  return  his  call  and  to  make  arrangements 
for  the  wedding.  He  first  went  to  see  one  of  the  good 
priests  of  St.  Cecilia's  church  and  gave  him  the  names 
of  his  affianced  and  his  own.  The  good  man  knew  the 
lady  well,  and  had  heard  her  sad  story ;  he  was  there- 
fore highly  pleased  to  hear  of  her  good  fortune,  even 
though  she  was  about  to  marry  a  heretic. 

He  informed  the  earl  it  would  be  necessary  for  the 
lady  to  get  a  dispensation,  as  the  Church  did  not 
approve  of  marriages  with  Protestants.  This  he  prom- 
ised to  arrange  however,  so  as  to  save  trouble.  The 
good  man's  zeal  was  doubtless  also  invigorated  by  a 
handsome  donation  for  his  church,  which  the  earl 
handed  him,  and  gave  him  a  blessing  in  departing, 
which  the  other  reverently  accepted. 

"  Ah,"  thought  the  good  man,  after  his  visitor  had 
left,  "  it  may  be  all  for  the  best ;  the  signorina  is  beau- 
tiful and  intelligent,  and  the  signore  is  not  hard  hearted, 
but  liberal.  Holy  Mother  church  may  gain  another 
soul  by  this  match." 


404  THE    EARL    OF    MATFIELD. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

HIS    OWN    TRUE    LOVE. 

WHEN  the  Earl  of  Mayfield  called  upon  Lord 
Loftus,  the  British  Ambassador,  he  found  the 
character  of  this  genial  old  man  to  be  just  what  Bran- 
don predicted.  His  Lordship  received  our  hero  with 
the  utmost  cordiality,  and  heartily  congratulated  him  on 
the  good  fortune  he  had  met  with,  in  obtaining  the 
high  rank  due  to  his  ancestry.  The  earl  was  not  slow 
to  respond  in  fitting  terms,  and,  at  the  request  of  Lord 
Loftus,  gave  an  abridged  history  of  his  life  up  to  the 
period  of  his  arrival  at  Rome. 

"  It  is  more  like  a  romance  than  real  life,"  said  the 
ambassador,  as  his  visitor  ceased  speaking. 

"  Yes ;  it  is  only  another  verification  of  the  adage, 
that  truth,  etc." 

"  I  feel  much  interest  in  one  personage  connected 
with  your  history,  for  although  an  old  bachelor,  I  am 
very  partial  to  the  ladies.  I  mean  Miss  Stuart.  There 
is,  I  presume,  a  sequel,  which  you  have  not  yet 
related." 

This  was  just  what  our  hero  wanted.  He  had  said 
enough  to  pique,  without  gratifying,  the  curiosity  of 
the  old  lord ;  he  improved  his  advantage  by  saying : 

"  I  am  now  coming  to  the  sequel,  as  you  term  this 
portion  of  my  story.  I  am  at  this  moment  in  Rome  on 
Miss  Stuart's  account !  " 


THE     E  A  K  L     OF    M  A  Y  F  1  E  L  D.  405 

He  then  related  the  whole  of  the  laclj^'s  history  — 
not  omitting  her  trials  and  privations  subsequent  to  the 
death  of  her  father  —  he  told  of  his  successful  suit,  of 
the  little  deception  he  had  been  guilty  of,  in  concealing 
his  rank,  and,  in  conclusion,  begged  the  ambassador  to 
assist  him  in  carrying  the  affair  through. 

All  this  was  music  to  the  ears  of  Lord  Loftus ;  he 
readily  agreed  to  the  proposition,  and  informed  our 
hero  that  he  would  arrange  matters  with  the  minister 
who  was  to  perform  the  ceremony  at  the  embassy,  in 
such  manner  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  suspicion 
on  the  part  of  the  bride. 

"  Now,"  continued  the  old  gentleman,  ''  I  must  call 
upon  Miss  Stuart;  I  am  most  anxious  to  have  the 
honor  of  being  presented  to  this  charming  heroine,  for 
such  she  is  I  " 

"  I  fear  it  may  arouse  her  suspicion  !  " 

"  Oh,  not  in  the  least !  I  will  tell  a  little  fib,  you 
know;  wdll  say,  I  knew  your  father  in  early  youth, 
went  to  school  together,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing,  you 
know !  Young  ladies  on  the  eve  of  marriage  don't 
trouble  their  dear  little  brains  with  many  thoughts 
other  than  those  connected  with  the  ceremony  and  their 
trousseau.  I  will  call  to-morrow  morning,"  concluded 
his  lordship,  with  a  determination  not  to  be  resisted. 

The  earl  saw  the  futility  of  remonstrance,  and  there- 
fore gave  it  up,  though  he  did  not  relish  the  idea  of 
seeing  his  sweetheart  subjected  to  the  scrutiny  of  the 
old  lord  while  in  such  humble  circumstances. 

He  stipulated  for  the  hour,  however,  on  which  the 
important  visitor  was  to  call,  and  requested,  in  addition, 


406  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

that  Brandon  be  permitted  to  accompan}-  him,  in  order 
that,  as  an  old  friend  of  Miss  Stuart,  he  might  assist  in 
preventing  all  embarrassment  to  the  lady. 

His  lordship  readily  agreed  to  this,  and  the  earl 
departed,  having  previously  accepted  an  invitation  to 
dine  at  the  embassy  on  the  next  day. 

Miss  Stuart  was  much  occupied  in  making  pre- 
parations for  the  wedding  day,  which  had  now  been 
decided  upon;  in  these  she  was  ably  seconded  by  her 
prime  minister,  Mignon ;  at  the  suggestion  of  the  latter 
they  moved  down  to  the  second  floor,  thanks  to  her 
lover's  generosity,  of  course,  which  she  now  did  not 
scruple  to  accept.  They  were  provided  witli  two  spa- 
cious apartments,  one  comfortably  fitted  up  as  a  sitting 
room,  and  the  other  being  the  bed-room  occupied  by 
both  females,  Miss  Stuart  not  being  willing  to  part 
with  the  faithful  girl  till  the  last  moment. 

All  these  little  changes  had  been  made  without  the 
knowledge  of  the  earl;  when  he  called,  therefore,  on 
the  next  morning,  he  was  proceeding  np  the  long  stair- 
case to  his  usual  destination  on  the  top  floor,  but  was 
halted  at  the  second  landing  by  his  mistress,  who  had 
been  watcliing  for  him.  She  drew  him  smilingly  by  the 
arm  into  her  new  quarters,  where  everything  already 
wore  a  cheerful,  home-like  look,  so  diligent  had  affec- 
tion been  in  providing  a  pleasant  little  surprise  for  tJie 
loved  one. 

The  earl's  brow  cleared  instantly,  for  he  had  been 
quite  annoyed  at  the  prospect  of  being  compelled  to 
see  his  afiianced  bride  receive  the  British  official  in  her 
bed-room.     He  seized  upon  the  fair  girl  in  his  joy,  and 


THE     EAKL     OF     M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  407 

waltzed  her  about  the  room  until  both  were  out  of 
breath. 

"  But,  tell  me,  Tom,  why  are  you  so  delighted  ?  Of 
course,  I  knew  you  would  be  pleased  to  see  me  more 
comfortably  situated,  yet  I  cannot  conceive  why  your 
joy  should  be  so  exuberant !  " 

"  Simply  because,  my  love,  the  British  Ambassador, 
accompanied  by  our  mutual  friend,  Brandon,  is  coming 
to  pay  his  respects  to  you.  Come  here,  Mignon !  " 
cried  he,  "  let  me  give  you  a  kiss  for  your  share  in  this 
matter ! " 

"  OA,  non^  monsieur,^'  answered  the  agile  maid,  rush- 
ing into  the  adjoining  room  and  partly  closing  the  door, 
holding  it  tightly,  while  she  peeped  through  the  crack. 

''Well,  well;  you  despise  me,  do  you,  you  little 
minx  ?  Here's  something,  however,  that  you  will  not 
treat  with  such  contempt,  by  shutting  the  door  in  its 
face  as  you  did  in  mine,"  cried  he,  throwing  a  sovereign 
through  the  opening. 

"  Miss  Stuart !  Will  3^ou  deign  to  inform  poor 
Thomas  Carew  as  to  the  cause  of  your  astonishment? 
I  fear  you  will  strain  the  lids  of  those  sweet  eyes  by 
opening  them  so  widely  I  Remember,  that  I  now  have 
a  reversionary  interest  in  them,  and  claim  the  right  to 
see  they  are  not  injured." 

"I  should  think  my  astonishment  quite  natural, 
under  the  circumstances.  Why  should  the  British 
minister — and  a  lord  at  that — call  upon  an  obscure 
gentleman  from  America,  and  who  has  only  just  settled 
in  England  ?  " 

0,  del!''  interrupted  Mignon,  '■' c  est un  milord aussi ; 
one  great  lord;  what  shall  we. do 2" 


408  THE     EAEL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  Obscure  gentleman,  indeed ! "  cried  her  lover, 
affecting  indignation,  to  gain  time  to  arrange  his 
thoughts.  "  I  wish  you  to  understand,  madam,  that 
although  we  have  no  apocryphal  pedigree  claiming 
royal  alliances,  ^-et,  the  Carews  of  Mayfield  are  the 
equals  of  any  peer  of  the  realm,  by  reason  of  their 
antiquity ! " 

"  Now,  Tom,"  said  she,  soothingly,  and  fearing  that 
perhaps  his  indignation  was  not  altogether  assumed, 
"  do  not  be  annoyed." 

His  only  repty  was  an  embrace,  followed  by  a  sound 
which — under  somewhat  similar  circumstances — has 
been  likened  by  the  immortal  author  of  "  Pickwick," 
to  that  produced  by  the  drawing  of  a  cork. 

Mignon,  however,  only  partly  understood  this  account 
of  Carew's  family,  her  knowledge  of  English  being 
imperfect;  she  therefore  jumped  at  the  conclusion  that 
he  also  was  a  lord,  and  with  some  awe  exclaimed : 

"  Mademoiselle  will  then  be  une  Comtesse  !  " 

"What  has  put  this  silly  idea  into  your  head?" 
answered  she,  laughing  heartily. 

"  But,  if  monsieur  is  a  'milord,'  you  will  be  'milady,' " 
persisted  Mignon. 

"Yes,  Mignon;  in  that  case  I  would  be  'milady,' 
but  Mr.  Carew  is  not  a  lord." 

"I  will  be  her  lord,  at  all  events,  Mignon  I "  inter- 
posed our  hero. 

The  lady  had  begun  to  utter  a  rebellious  denial  of  his 
right  to  sovereignty,  but  was  interrupted  by  the  sound 
of  wheels  below,  followed  by  the  tread  of  persons  on 
the  stairs.     The  lady  and  the  gentleman  had  just  time 


THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  409 

to  seat  themselves — they  had  been  standing — when 
there  came  a  tap  at  the  door;  this  was  speedily  opened 
by  Mignon,  Avhen  Lord  Loftus  entered  followed  by 
Brandon.  The  nobleman  was  at  once  presented  to 
Miss  Stuart,  who  received  him  with  graceful  dignity, 
while  to  Brandon  she  extended  a  cordial  hand,  having 
known  him  from  childhood. 

Lord  Loftus  proceeded,  without  loss  of  time,  to  make 
himself  welcome,  with  all  the  ease  and  natural  frank- 
ness of  a  fine  English  gentleman,  than  whom  the  world 
has  no  superior. 

"  Miss  Stuart,  as  an  old  friend  of  Mr.  Carew's  father, 
I  claimed  the  privilege  and  honor  of  a  presentation  to 
you ! " 

"  You  are  a  lucky  dog,  Mayfield,"  said  his  lordship, 
sotto  voce^  to  the  earl,  "  I  envy  you." 

"  I  am  happy  to  learn,  sir,  that  Mr.  Carew  still  has 
some  friends  left  in  England,"  replied  the  lady,  who 
thought  she  saw  a  full  explanation  of  the  reasons  which 
had  led  to  this  call  from  Lord  Loftus. 

The  conversation  then  assumed  a  desultorj^  and 
general  character,  each  member  of  the  little  party 
contributing  his  or  her  quota  to  the  general  fund. 
Miss  Stuart  was  naturally  gay.  Her  spirits,  so  long 
repressed,  now  broke  forth  in  full  force,  stimulated  as 
she  was,  not  only  by  her  present  happiness,  but  also 
with  the  desire  to  do  credit  to  the  choice  of  her  lover, 
and  thereby  enhance  him  in  the  estimation  of  her 
important  visitor.  Pure,  unselfish  maiden  !  She  cared 
nothing  herself  for  the  opinions  of  the  world,  but  was 
most  anxious  to  advance  the  interests  of  her  future 
husband. 


410  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

Our  hero's  character  was  very  imperfect  in  respect 
of  being  over  proud,  and  morbidly  sensitive;  he  was 
therefore  easily  mortified.  Miss  Stuart  was  fully  aware 
of  this  defect,  and  in  consequence  of  this  knowledge, 
took  the  utmost  pains  to  avoid  giving  him  the  slightest 
pretext  for  feeling  humiliation  on  her  account.  Her 
acute  discernment  assured  her  that  once  his  wife,  he 
would  look  upon  her  as  part  and  parcel  of  his  dignity, 
and  consider  himself  as  being  personally  responsible 
for  any  faux  pas  of  hers.  Hence  her  anxiety  to 
impress  liis  friends  with  a  favorable  opinion  of  herself. 

Sweet  girl,  how  would  her  anxiety  have  been  in- 
creased, perhaps  overwhelmingly,  had  she  known  the 
real  rank  of  her  lover. 

She  needed  however,  to  have  had  no  anxiety.  If  her 
lover  had  been  what  she  believed  him  to  be,  a  simple 
private  gentleman,  her  fears  would  have  been  fully 
justified;  but  as  the  Countess  of  Mayfield,  she  had 
nothing  to  tremble  for. 

The  earl's  proud  heart  was  fully  imbued  with  the 
dignit}-  of  his  order.  He  was  a  peer  of  the  realm ;  the 
sovereign  called  liim  cousin.  He  remembered  the 
maxmi,  that  the  king  can  do  no  wrong. 

His  countess,  therefore,  was  elevated  to  and  shared 
his  own  dignit}-  in  its  fullest  extent.  To  be  conde- 
scending and  affable  to  inferiors,  and  to  be  frank  and 
simple  with  equals ;  as  to  superiors,  he  acknowledged 
none;  this  was  now  liis  —  and  therefore  hers  also  — 
highest  duty.  The  motto,  noblesse  oblige^  was  ever 
present  in  his  thoughts. 

Thus  it  will  be  perceived,  that  if  high  and  fixed  ranks 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  411 

and  grades  of  society  have  their  cares  and  disadvanta- 
ges, yet  there  are  on  the  other  hand,  compensating 
benefits.  For  instance,  in  the  case  personated  in  our 
history;  charming  Mary  Stuart  was  much  more  likely 
to  Avin  and  retain  the  respect  and  affection  of  her 
husband  as  Countess  of  Mayfield,  than  would  probably 
have  been  the  case  had  she  been  simply  the  wife  of 
plain  Thomas  Carew. 

We  must  however,  return  from  this  long  digression. 
The  Ambassador  stayed  just  the  proper  time.  Had 
he  remained  longer  he  would  have  intruded  on  and 
shortened  the  few  precious  days  left  to  the  lovers; 
days  which  the  shrewd  old  gentleman  fully  believed 
to  be  the  most  happy  period  in  the  lives  of  all  lovers. 
Had  he  remained  a  shorter  time,  the  lady  might  have 
felt  slighted,  and  he  would  have  been  deficient  in  cour- 
tesy to  the  future  Countess  of  Mayfield. 

Actuated  by  these  considerations.  Lord  Loftus  took 
his  leave,  accompanied  by  Brandon,  whom  he  deposited 
at  his  hotel.  He  reminded  "  Mr.  Carew,"  as  he  slily 
poked  him  in  the  ribs,  on  the  landing  outside  the  door 
of  Miss  Stuart's  rooms,  "of  his  engagement  to  dine 
with  him  on  that  day." 

Shaking  the  jovial  old  lord  cordially  by  the  hand, 
the  earl  smilingly  promised  to  come,  and  then  returned 
to  his  mistress. 

Mary  Stuart  stood  in  the  middle  of  the  apartment, 

on  the  spot  where  she  had  bidden  her  visitors  good-by. 

Her  attitude  was  expectant,  yet  somewhat  anxious,  as 

she  leaned  slightly  forward,  looking  earnestly  towards 

■  the  door  through  which  she  expected  the  re-entrance 


412  THE     EAKL     OF    MAYFIELD. 

of  her  lover  after  he  had  "  done  "  the  honors,  in  her 
stead,  of  seeing  the  gentlemen  off. 

"  Why,  sweetheart,  what  is  the  matter  ? "  cried  he, 
clasping  her  in  his  arms,  as  he  remarked  the  peculiar 
expression  of  her  countenance. 

With  a  sigh  of  relief,  and  a  joyful  glance  up  at  him 
as  she  nestled  on  his  shoulder,  the  poor  child  replied : 

''  It  is  such  a  relief.  I  was  fearful,  Tom,  lest  I  might 
not  have  come  up  to  your  expectations  and  satisfy  your 
great  friend,  the  lord." 

"Nonsense,  love.  Is  that  all?  Why,  you  would 
grace  a  coronet  3'ourself.  I  would  I  had  one  to  place 
on  this  fair  brow,"  exclaimed  he,  kissing  it. 

"  Ah,  it  is  very  kind  of  you  to  reassure  me ;  but  my 
life  has  been  a  secluded  one,  you  know.  I  had  but  few 
opportunities  of  learning  the  ways  of  the  world.  Have 
a  little  patience  with  me,  love.  I  am  proud  of  my 
future  husband,  and  wish  him  to  be  proud  of  his  little 
wife." 

"  Sweet  one.  He  must  be  proud  of  her  whether  he 
will  or  no,  for  she  will  be  one  with  him. 

"  But,  never  fear,  dearest,"  continued  he  hastil}', 
seeing  an  apprehensive  look  on  her  face.  "  If  Mrs. 
Carew  bears  herself  as  did  Miss  Stuart  this  day,  there 
will  be  nothing  to  be  desired.  I  shall  be  both  proud 
and  happy." 

"  Thanks,  dear  Tom,"  murmured  she. 

"And  now,''  said  he,  gayly,  "that  we  are  rid  of  your 
noble  visitor,  I  propose  that  we  take  a  little  enjoyment 
in  our  own  plebeian  fashion.  Mary,  dear  love,  put  on 
youi  hat  and  we  will  take  a  drive,  and  then  get  a  lunch 
in  the  Corso,  before  I  go  to  dinner  with  my  lord." 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  413 

His  charming  mistress  gladly  acqiiiescecl,  and  as  she 
speedily  rejoined  him  from  the  next  room,  accoutred 
for  the  carriage,  he  exclaimed : 

"  You  are  more  lovely  than  ever,  to-day,  queen  of 
my  heart.  What  have  you  been  doing  to  her,  Mignon, 
her  attire  is  the  same  as  usual  ?  " 

"  Mademoiselle  is  hai3py  because  Monsieur  is  pleased 
with  her,"  replied  the  girl  simply. 

''  Yes,  Mignon  has  a  true  woman's  heart.  She  is 
right,"  said  her  mistress.  Then  turning  to  her  lover 
with  a  childlike  simplicity  and  frankness,  most  affecting 
to  behold,  she  continued  : 

"  Only  have  faith  in  me,  Tom,  dear  heart,  and  a  little 
confidence,  and  I  will  make  you  a  good  wife." 

"  You  are  over  anxious,  darling.  This  excessive 
feeling  will  make  you  morbidly  sensitive,  and  thus 
destroy  the  very  object  for  which  you  are  striving. 
But  come,  let  us  throw  dull  care  away  and  enjoy  our- 
selves while  we  may." 

While  thus  speaking,  he  gently  led  his  fair  mistress 
to  the  carriage. 


414  THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

A    SPARKLING     INTRUSION.  -• 

THE  short  period  which  separated  the  lovers  from 
the  day  on  which  they  were  to  be  made  one  was 
occupied  in  driving  about  the  famous  old  city.  They 
made  no  visits  to  places  of'  amusement,  for,  happy 
though  she  was,  the  fair  girl  did  not  forget  the  respect 
due  the  memory  of  her  father.  Most  of  their  little 
excursions  were  spent  in  the  inspection  of  the  won- 
derful works  of  art  with  which  Rome  is  crowded. 
On  the  day  previous  to  that  fixed  upon  for  the  wedding, 
they  ascended  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's  and  took  a  last 
look  at  the  glorious  panorama  there  presented  and  in 
delibly  imprinted  on  the  memories  of  this  loving  pair 
for  life.  As  they  returned  from  the  dome  and  passed 
the  tomb  of  the  Stuarts,  the  young  lady  said,  timidly : 

"Dearest,  will  you  be  kind  enough  to  have  a  simple 
marble  tablet  erected  over  my  dear  father's  remains, 
with  an  inscription,  recording  his  name,  with  the  dates 
of  bu'th  and  death  ?" 

Her  lover  replied  at  once  in  the  affirmative.  Before 
parting  for  the  night,  he  made  her  dictate  to  him  the 
precise  words  which  she  wished  to  have  cut  on  the 
stone.  In  addition  to  this,  he  wrote  a  paper,  which 
she  signed  without  reading,  addressed  to  the  proper 
officials  in  Florence,  ordering  them  to  allow  Mr.  Charles 
Brandon   to   exhume   the   remains   of  her   father   for 


THE     EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  415 

transportation  to  England  —  our  hero  having  fully  de- 
termined to  prepare  a  surprise  for  his  wife,  by  showing 
her  the  inscription  of  her  own  choice  over  the  body 
of  her  father  in  the  spendid  mausoleum  of  his  ancestors. 

When  the  earl  returned  to  the  hotel,  he  handed  the 
document  and  the  inscription  to  his  secretary,  with 
instructions  to  attend  to  the  matter  when  on  his  way  to 
Mayfield ;  first,  however,  obtaining  the  good  offices  of 
Lord  Loftus  in  the  matter,  in  order  that  there  might  be 
no  difficulties  to  be  overcome. 

"When  am  I  to  leave  for  Mayfield?"  asked  the 
secretary. 

''  On  the  first  train  leaving  after  the  wedding ;  for 
you  are  to  be  my  groomsman,  and  must  also  act  as  a 
witness." 

"What  preparations  am  I  to  make  at  Mayfield  for 
your  reception,  and  when  will  you  be  there  ?  " 

"  As  to  the  preparations,  I  think  it  best  to  leave  them 
to  the  discretion  of  Goldsmith.  He  understands  fully 
what  is  necessary  and  usual  on  such  occasions.  I  wish 
my  bride  to  be  welcomed  to  her  future  home  with  all 
the  ceremony  due  to  her  rank.  On  second  thoughts,  I 
give  you  and  Goldsmith  joint  authority  to  make  what 
arrangements  you  think  best  suited  to  the  occasion." 

"You  have  not  informed  me  when  you  expect  to 
arrive  at  Mayfield  ?     I  must  know  definitely." 

"  I  cannot  tell  exactly.  The  Countess,  that  is  to  be, 
will  control  my  actions.  I  think,  however,  that  we  will 
leave  Rome  on  Saturday  morning,  and  travel  by  easy 
stages.  I  will  telegraph  to  you  from  Paris,  fixing  the 
exact,  day  of  our  arrival  at  Mayfield." 


416  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"Your  uncertain  movements  will  make  it  rather 
difficult  to  forward  your  mails  so  as  to  meet  you," 
remarked  the  secretary. 

"  I  do  not  wish  them  forwarded.  My  bride  would  be 
sure  to  read  them,  or,  at  any  rate,  see  the  address,  and 
thus  discover  ni}'  rank,  which  I  wish  to  conceal  from 
her  until  we  reach  home." 

"  There  may  be  letters  and  dispatches  of  importance, 
however.     What  then?"  inquired  Brandon. 

"  Open  them,"  replied  the  earl.  "  If  of  importance, 
telegraph  the  contents  to  me.  If  not  of  importance, 
retain  them  at  Mayfield.  And,  mark  you,  be  careful 
that  you  address  all  communications  to  Thomas  Carew. 
There  will  be  a  lady  in  the  case,  you  know,  after 
to-morrow." 

"All  right,"  answered  the  secretary,  smiling.  "I"ll 
be  careful.  Any  further  instructions  ?  You  had  best 
think  of  everything  to-night,  for  to-morrow  will  be  a 
busy  day." 

As  Brandon  spoke,  he  drew  a  slip  of  paper  from 
the  table  beside  him  and  began  noting  down  his 
instructions. 

The  earl  reflected  for  some  minutes  and  then  said : 

"I  can  think  of  nothing  else.  Yet,  stay.  There  are 
the  old  couple,  Jake  and  Hannah,  from  the  Saratoga 
farm,  which  has  been  sold.  They  are  on  the  way  over, 
and  are,  perhaps,  alread}^  at  Mayfield.  I  wish  them  to 
be  placed  in  the  lodge,  called  the  barbacan,  and  which 
is  now  completed,  at  the  entrance  to  the  park.  It  will 
make  a  comfortable  home  for  them,  with  but  little  to 
do.     Besides,  this  arrangement  will  give  these  faithful 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  417 

old  servants  the  privilege  of  being  the  first  to  welcome 
the  fair  bride  to  her  new  home."  I  can  never  forget  a 
conversation,  held  at  the  Saratoga  farm,  some  years 
ago,  with  Hannah,  in  which  she  told  me  of  the  rank 
formerly  held  by  my  ancestors.  See  that  she  is  well 
cared  for,  Brandon." 

The  secretary  also  made  a  note  of  this,  promising  to 
obey  all  injunctions.  He  then  remarked  that  "Whitefield 
was  also  expected  from  America  shortly,  with  large 
sums,  in  bills  of  exchange,  drawn  to  the  order  of  the 
earl;  these  moneys  being  the  proceeds  derived  from 
sales  of  real  estate,  including  Court  Lodge  and  other 
property  in  the  United  States. 

"  I  hope  he  will  arrive  in  time  to  receive  us  when  we 
reach  Mayfield,"  remarked  his  lordship.  "Whitefield 
thinks  much  of  Miss  Stuart.  It  will  be  a  great  pleasure 
to  her,  if  he  meets  her  at  the  door." 

"  I  am  sure  he  will  be  there.  Have  you  told  her  that 
he  is  expected  ?  " 

"No.  I  thought  I  would  let  it  come  in  with  the 
other  surprises  which  await  her  ladyship." 

"  Take  care,  my  friend,  that  you  do  not  overdo  these 
surprises.  The  lady  is  delicate  and  too  much  emotion 
might  cause  illness,"  said  Brandon. 

"Oh!  I  think  not.  Emotions  of  the  kind  she  will 
experience  can  be  borne  even  by  the  most  delicate 
females,"  replied  the  earl. 

"  Are  3^ou  content  with  the  amount  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  which  Mr.  Whitefield 
has  procured  for  Court  Lodge  ?  " 

"  Well,  yes,"  said  his  lordship,  hesitatingly,  "  on  the 
26 


418  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

whole  I  am  satisfied,  yet  the  property  is  worth  more. 
Mr.  Treacle,  however,  the  purchaser,  is  a  good  man 
and  Avill  keep  the  old  place  up.  Beside  this,  Bragdy  has 
been  retained  as  manager.  He  is  a  good  man,  and  I 
am  highly  gratified  to  learn  of  his  good  fortune.  I 
instructed  Whitefield  to  do  what  he  could  for  him. 
Ah  I  dear  old  Court  Lodge  I  I  never  expect  to  see  it 
again,"  concluded  he,  with  a  sigh. 

"  I  do  not  think  you  have  much  to  sigh  for,"  ex- 
claimed his  secretary,  somewhat  indignantly. 

"  Ha  !  sighing  !  Who  talks  of  sighing?  "  cried  Lord 
Loftus,  entering  the  room. 

"  My  Lord  of  Mayfield  was  sighing,"  said  Brandon. 

"  Was  he  ?  The  ungrateful  scamp  !  Well,  well,  on 
second  thoughts,  I  can't  blame  him  much  either.  This 
marriage  business  is  rather  dangerous.  I  never  had  the 
courage  to  undertake  it,  although  I  went  through  the 
Crimean  war." 

This  provoked  an  indignant  rejoinder  from  the  in- 
tending bridegroom.  While  his  ire  was  devoted  for 
a  moment  to  Lord  Loftus,  the  secretary  slipped  out, 
knowing  his  turn  would  come  for  having  given  the  old 
peer  so  good  an  opportunity  to  poke  fun  at  the  institu- 
tion of  matrimony. 

After  some  sparring  between  the  two  peers,  thus  left 
to  fight  out  the  battle  of  words  for  and  against  marriage, 
a  truce  was  called  by  the  elder,  who  was  also  the 
aggressor.  This  being  granted,  the  old  fellow,  after 
inquiries  as  to  the  health  of  Miss  Stuart,  declared  his 
intention  of  being  present  at  the  first  marriage  to  be 
performed  at  St.  Cecilia's,  and  to  give  the  bride  away. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  419 

The  proposition  was  both  unexpected  and  gratifying 
to  our  hero,  as  he  had  not  invited  any  persons  to  be 
present  at  the  basilica  other  than  Brandon,  Mignon 
and  the  old  concierge ;  while  at  the  embassy,  he  had 
only  expected  to  meet  the  officials  connected  with  the 
office,  besides  the  minister  to  perform  the  service. 

This  delicate  attention  was,  therefore,  thankfully 
accepted,  and  it  was  understood  that  Lord  Loftus 
would  call  punctually  at  ten  in  the  morning  at  the 
lady's  residence,  escorting  her  thence  to  the  church, 
where  the  bridegroom,  with  his  groomsman,  would  be 
waiting  to  receive  them. 

The  ceremony  performed,  the  entire  party  would 
then  drive  to  the  embassy,  where  the  marriage  would  be 
solemnized  according  to  the  form  prescribed  by  the 
Church  of  England.  After  this  they  were  to  breakfast 
with  Lord  Loftus. 

His  lordship  now  departed.  The  earl  moved  rest- 
lessly about  the  room  for  some  minutes  ;  then,  glancing 
at  his  watch,  saw  it  was  not  yet  nine  o'clock,  and 
thought  he  would  take  a  stroll  on  the  Corso.  As  he 
walked  listlessly  along,  looking  in  the  shop  windows, 
most  of  which  were  brilliantly  lighted,  he  saw  a  superb 
diamond  necklace,  with  a  pendant  cross  of  the  same 
precious  stones.  He  entered  the  shop,  where  he  was 
known,  having  already  made  a  number  of  handsome 
purchases  there  for  his  bride,  and  requested  to  see  the 
necklace. 

The  obsequious  tradesman  quickly  obeyed.  On  a 
close  examination,  it  proved  to  be  even  finer  than  it  had 
appeared  from  the  street. 


420  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

"  What  is  the  price  ?  " 

"  The  price,  milord,  is  sixty  thousand  livres,  and  it  is 
very  cheap." 

"How  do  you  estimate  its  value?"  asked  the  earl. 

"  You  will  see,  milord.  There  are  twenty  stones  in  the 
necklace,  worth  two  thousand  livres  each  at  a  low  calcu- 
lation. Then  there  is  the  cross,  with  eleven  large  and 
a  number  of  small  diamonds,  which  are  cheap  at  twenty 
thousand  livres,"  answered  the  proprietor,  who  spoke 
good  English. 

"  I  will  give  you  forty  thousand  livres." 

"It  is  impossible,  milord.  The  stones  are  really 
cheap  at  the  price  set  upon  them.  However,  as  your 
lordship  is  a  good  patron,  we  will  split  the  difference 
and  call  it  fifty  thousand." 

"  Very  well ;  I  will  take  them." 

"  Will  your  lordsliip  take  them  with  you,  or  shall  I 
send  them  to  the  hotel?" 

"  If  you  are  willing  to  trust  me  for  so  large  a  sum 
until  morning,    I  will  take  them.'' 

"  Oh,  certainly,  milord,"  answered  the  man,  smiling 
and  rubbing  his  hands,  after  having  handed  the  small 
package  to  the  earl.  "  Would  your  lordship  like  to  look 
at  something  else  this  evening?  We  have  some  lovely 
mosaics,  made  in  Rome  ?  " 

"  I  have  already  purchased  some  of  them." 

"  Ah,  yes,  I  remember.  Pardon  my  want  of  memory. 
Good  evening,  milord,"  continued  he,  as  the  earl  turned 
into  the  street. 

Our  hero  thought  he  would  call  at  the  lodgings  of 
his  mistress  and  o:ive  her  the  stones  that  night,  as  he 


THE    EAKL    OF    MAYFIELD.  421 

would,  possibly,  not  be  able  to  see  her  in  the  morning, 
before  they  met  at  the  church.  He  got  a  hack  near  by, 
and  had  some  difficulty  in  making  the  driver  compre- 
hend where  he  wished  to  go.  Finally  the  fellow 
understood  the  words,  "  St.  Cecilia  in  Trastevere,"  and 
they  moved  off. 

"  That  will  do,"  muttered  the  earl  to  himself;  "  I  will 
walk  from  the  basilica,  and  if  there  is  no  light  in  her 
windows,  I  can  return  without  disturbing  her." 

He  accordingly  ordered  the  man  to  wait  in  front  of 
the  church,  himself  going  with  rapid  step  to  the  old 
palace.*  As  he  turned  the  corner  a  faint  light  shone 
from  the  windows  of  Miss  Stuart's  sitting-room. 

"  Good,"  thought  he,  going  gently  up  the  stairs  and, 
without  knocking,  tried  the  door  knob ;  it  obeyed  his 
touch,  and  the  door  swung  noiselessly  open,  discovering 
the  lady  seated,  in  dishabille,  with  a  light  caj)e  around 
her  shoulders,  at  a  small  table,  covered  with  letters  and 
papers.  She  was  so  intent  on  deciphering  the  contents 
of  an  old  letter  by  the  poor  light  of  a  solitary  candle, 
that  she  did  not  observe  the  entrance  of  her  lover,  until 
he  made  a  slight  noise  in  closing  the  door  behind  him. 
She  sprang  up  with  a  slight  scream  of  terror,  which 
soon  changed  into  confusion,  as  she  remembered  the 
state  of  her  toilet ;  the  fair  girl  made  a  rapid  movement 
towards  the  next  room,  but  was  intercepted  by  her 
lover,  who  ran  after  and  caught  her  in  his  arms  before 
she  could  escape. 

''  Let  me  go  !  "  said  she.  "  What  business  have  you 
here  so  late  ?  " 

"For  that  matter,  I  might  ask  why  you  left  your 
door  open  ?  " 


422  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"  I  thought  it  fastened ;  now,  however,  I  remember 
that  Mignon  went  out  a  few  moments  ago,"  answered 
she. 

"  I  came  to  bring  you  this  little  token,  sweetheart, 
and  to  request  that  you  will  wear  it  to-morrow." 

While  thus  speaking,  he  drew  the  necklace  from  his 
pocket  and  advanced.  She  retreated,  holding  out  her 
hand.  This  he  seized  and  reached  out,  clasping  the 
rich  jewels  about  her  neck  in  spite  of  her  struggles; 
then  drawing  her  to  the  mirror,  he  exclaimed ; 

"  I  wish  my  love  to  see  for  herself  how  becoming 
it  is." 

As  he  uttered  these  words,  the  cape  around  her 
shoulders  fell  to  the  floor,  showing  a  glowing,  heaving 
bust,  now  crimson  and  then  white  as  marble,  in  the 
alternations  of  shame  and  confusion.  He  could  not 
resist  the  temptation,  and  imprinted  a  burning  kiss  on 
the  lovely  form. 

''For  shame,  sir,"  cried  the  lady,  indignantly.  "Tom, 
forbear  !    I  implore,  nay  — command  you  I  " 

At  tliis  instant,  the  candle  fell  out  of  its  socket  and 
the  room  was  in  total  darkness.  He  had  brought  it 
from  the  table  and  placed  it  in  front  of  the  mirror, 
where  it  was  thrown  down  in  the  confusion. 

He  obeyed,  releasing  the  sweet  girl,  who  burst  into 
hysterical  sobs.  He  implored  her  to  listen  to  him ;  he 
had  no  intention  of  wounding  her.  She  would  not  hear 
him  and  slipped  into  the  next  room. 

Mignon  now  entered,  and  was  much  surprised  to  find 
Monsieur  there,  and  in  the  dark.  The  earl  was  at  a 
loss  what  to  say,  or  do ;  but  his  fair  mistress  came  to 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  423 

the  rescue  with  woman's  tact.  Calling  to  the  maid, 
she  bade  her  get  a  light,  as  Mr.  Carew  had  just  entered, 
and  to  say  that  she  would  see  him  in  a  few  moments. 

This  was  done,  and  shortly  after,  Miss  Stuart  entered. 
Going  directly  to  her  lover,  who  stood  much  embar- 
rassed by  the  table,  she  said : 

"  I  am  much  obliged,  Tom,  dear,  for  the  beautiful 
present  you  have  taken  the  trouble  to  bring.  Now, 
love,  please  say  good-night  and  go,  for  it  is  late." 

She  had  thrown  another  dress  on  in  the  interval, 
and  had  clasped  the  diamonds  about  her  neck,  thus 
showing  complete  forgiveness  and  a  desire  to  have 
nothing  said  as  to  what  had  occurred. 

As  he  moved  towards  the  door  in  obedience  to  her 
request,  she  smiled,  holding  out  a  white  hand,  of  which 
he  speedily  possessed  himself,  and  with  mutual  em- 
braces they  parted  without  another  word  for  the  night. 


424  THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

THE    WHITE     CLIFFS     OF     ENGLAND. 

r"pHE  wedding  day  was  clear  and  bright,  with  just 
JL  enough  of  sharpness  in  the  air  to  brace  the  S3's- 
tems  of  those  who  were  to  take  part  in  the  double 
ceremony  to  be  performed,  and  to  enable  the  two 
principal  actors  to  sustain  their  roles. 

Miss  Stuart  went  to  early  mass  and  received  com- 
munion ;  then  as  the  wedding  itself  was  to  be  as  plain 
as  possible,  she  returned  to  her  lodgings  and  prepared 
to  leave  them  with  Lord  Loftus.  The  old  peer  came 
punctually,  and  alone.  He  was  dressed  in  evening 
costume,  with  a  white  rose  in  his  button-hole.  He 
brought  a  small  bouquet  of  white  camelias  for  the 
bride,  and  delivered  a  note  to  her  at  the  same  time, 
from  the  groom.  The  gentleman  gallantly  turned  to 
the  window,  thus  giving  her  an  opportunity  to  read  her 
lover's  message.  It  was  short,  but  sweet,  to  her  at 
least,  exhorting  her  to  keep  up  her  spirits  and  to  go 
bravely  through  the  trials  of  the  day ;  closing  with  the 
assurance  that  he  would  meet  her  at  the  basilica  to  be 
hers  forevermore. 

It  was  now  time  to  depart.  As  she  descended  the 
stairs,  she  found  them,  much  to  her  surprise,  strewed 
with  wliite  flowers ;  and  on  reaching  the  pavement, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  Lord  Loftus,  they  were  met  by 
all  the  lodgers  in  the  old  palace,  dressed  in  their  best 
attire,  and  waiting  to  bid  her  adieu. 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 


425 


They  walked  to  the  basilica,  accompanied  by  the 
faithful  Migiion  as  bridesmaid,  and  were  preceded  by 
nearly  a  dozen  little  girls,  the  children  of  her  humble 
friends  and  fellow -lodgers.  These  innocents  were 
simply  but  neatly  dressed  in  white,  and  bore  baskets 
filled  with  flowers,  which  they  scattered  before   the 

bride. 

"  This  is  quite  a  delightful  little  surprise,  upon  my 
honor,"  said  the  old  gentleman,  highly  pleased.  "  There 
was  no  evidence  of  these  preparations  as  I  entered. 
These  are  very  kind  hearted  people." 

"  They  are  indeed,"  murmui-ed  the  lovely,  blushmg 

bride.  . 

Miss  Stuart  was,  indeed,  beautiful.  She  was  richly 
dressed  in  pure  white  satin,  trimmed  with  the  finest 
lace  her  lover  could  procure  in  Rome.  Her  lovely  nut- 
brown  hair  was  unadorned  with  wreath  or  veil,  but 
instead,  was  intertwined  with  orange  blossoms,  not 
exceeding  twenty  in  number.  The  slender,  shapely 
left  hand  was  bare,  pm^e  and  white,  in  readiness  to 
receive  on  its  finger  the  simple  golden  circlet,  the 
future  badge  of  the  wedded  wife.  Not  a  solitary 
ornament  of  any  description  was  visible,  save  the  rich 
necklace   presented   only  the   evening  before   by  her 

lover. 

Lord  Loftus  was  lost  in  admiration  of  this  superb, 
queenly  beauty,  who,  wrought  up  as  she  was,  to  the 
determination  to  fully  justify  the  choice  of  her  des- 
tined husband,  stepped  with  a  firm  tread  and  elevated 
bearing  by  the  side  of  her  escort.  The  old  noble 
thought,  as  he  gazed  upon  this  fair  vision  and  felt  the 


426  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

firm  confidence  with  which  she  leaned  upon  his  arm, 
that  she  was  fully  worthy  of  the  elevated  rank  to  which 
she  was  so  soon  to  be  raised. 

"Ay,"  thought  he,  "if  Mayfield  could  place  an 
imperial  diadem  on  that  brow,  instead  of  an  earl's 
coronet,  she  would  wear  it  in  most  queenly  style." 

They  entered  the  ancient  basilica,  still  preceded  by 
the  little  flower  girls,  who  now  emptied  their  baskets 
on  the  spot  where  Miss  Stuart  was  to  kneel,  and  rise, 
as  the  Countess  of  Mayfield. 

Her  lover  was  already  before  the  altar,  attended  by 
his  faithful  secretary,  both  in  evening  costume.  The 
ceremony  was  at  once  performed,  and  without  delay, 
the  wedded  couple  walked  arm  in  arm  down  the  vener- 
able nave.  They  entered  the  carriage  of  the  Ambassa- 
dor, and  accompanied  b}^  him,  drove  rapidly  to  the 
embassy,  being  followed  in  another  carriage  by  Bran- 
don and  Mignon :  the  latter,  poor  girl,  was  all  smiles 
and  tears,  being,  as  she  expressed  it,  at  one  moment, 
ravi^  and  on  the  next,  desolee.'' 

The  ceremony  was  quickly  gotten  through  with  by 
the  minister  of  the  English  church,  at  the  embassy. 
Tills  functionary  claimed  the  privilege  of  kissing  the 
bride,  who  blushingly  and  gracefully  submitted  to  the 
penalty,  which  was  likewise  inflicted  by  Lord  Loftus, 
followed  by  Brandon;  these  two  gentlemen  also  gal- 
lantly insisted  on  kissing  the  solitary  bridesmaid, 
herself  as  interestingly  sweet  as  are  most  brides. 

Then  came  the  signatures  of  the  bride,  the  groom  and 
the  witnesses ;  after  which  performance,  the  groom  led 
his  sweet  wife  to  the  breakfast  room,  where  they  sat  on 


THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  427 

the  right  of  the  Ambassador,  she  first,  and  her  husband 
occupying  the  seat  by  her  side. 

The  meal  being  over,  the  twain,  now  made  one,  never 
more  to  part,  drove  to  that  hotel  which  the  poor 
orphaned  girl  had  left  in  almost  destitute  circum- 
stances, and  without  a  friend,  save  her  faithful  maid. 
Now  she  returned  as  the  happy  bride  of  one  of  Eng- 
land's greatest  nobles. 

The  Countess  of  Mayfield,  as  we  must  now  call  the 
fair  young  wife,  though  she  was  herself  not  yet  aware 
of  her  high  rank,  spent  the  remainder  of  the  week  with 
her  husband  in  Rome.  She  did  not  fail  to  call  once 
more  at  her  old  lodgings,  to  bid  adieu  to  those  humble 
but  true  friends,  and  to*  distribute  handsome  gifts  to 
all ;  not  forgetting  the  children  who  had  so  gracefully 
honored  her  wedding  day.  Lord  Loftus  also  had  to  be 
parted  with,  as  well  as  thanked  for  a  number  of  rich 
presents,  found  by  the  bride  in  her  new  apartments,  on 
her  first  entry  therein. 

Brandon  had  departed  immediately  after  the  wed- 
ding on  his  way  to  Mayfield,  stopping  in  Florence  long 
enough  to  attend  to  the  removal  of  Doctor  Stuart's 
remains  to  the  mausoleum  of  the  lords  of  Mayfield,  in 
St.  Dunstan's  church. 

On  the  Monday  following  the  marriage,  the  happy 
couple  set  out  for  their  future  home.  They  travelled 
by  easy  stages,  in  order  that  the  bride  might  not  be 
fatigued,  and  also  to  give  Brandon  time  to  make 
preparations  for  a  becoming  reception  at  Mayfield. 

They  passed  through  Pisa,  stopping  one  day  to 
visit  the  leaning  tower,  and  the  Campo  Santo.     The 


428  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

next  halt  was  at  Turin,  where  two  days  were  spent  in 
recuperation,  and  in  driving  about  the  beautiful  and 
thrifty  capital  of  Piedmont;  thence  they  proceeded 
without  further  delay  through  the  great  tunnel  of  Mont 
Cenis,  and  in  twenty -four  hours  were  in  Paris. 

They  stopped  with  Mignon's  mother.  The  good 
woman  was  expecting  them  and  had  her  best  apart- 
ments in  readiness.  She  was  overjoyed  to  meet  not 
only  her  daughter  again,  but  the  lovely  girl,  who  had 
left  her  only  a  few  short  months  previously  under  such 
sorrowful  circumstances. 

The  Countess,  accompanied  by  Mignon,  went  at 
once,  without  resting  an  instant,  to  the  room  occupied 
by  her  father.  It  was  just  as  he  had  left  it,  no  new 
lodger  having  offered  to  take  so  humble  an  apartment. 
Here  she  was  overwhelmed  by  a  flood  of  bitter  mem- 
ories, and  went  about  the  room  in  a  distracted  state, 
calling  upon  the  dear,  lost  one,  and  repeatedly  kissing 
and  bedewing  with  tears  the  familiar  objects,  sacred  to 
her  and  hallowed  by  his  touch. 

Mignon  became  alarmed  at  the  condition  of  her  grief- 
stricken  mistress,  and,  finding  her  own  remonstrances 
unavailing,  ran  down  stairs  for  Monsieur,  who  came  up, 
and,  after  caressing  and  soothing  his  sweet  wife,  led 
her,  unresisting,  gently  to  their  rooms  below. 

The  earl  had  sent  a  dispatch  to  Brandon,  announcing 
that  they  would  be  in  May  field  on  the  fifth  day  there- 
after. He  speedily  received  an  answer  informing  him 
that  all  was  now  in  readiness  for  their  reception,  and 
that  a  carriage  would  be  in  waiting  at  Wadhurst  to 
carry  them   home.     This   telegram   was   addressed  to 


THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD.  429 

"  Thomas  Carew,  Esq.,"  etc.,  so  he  made  no  scruple 
about  showing  it  to  his  wife.  The  sweet  girl  was 
delighted  at  the  prospect  of  so  soon  having  a  home  of 
her  own. 

She  asked  her  husband  many  questions  about  the 
home  they  were  to  inhabit  and  its  surroundings.  He 
evaded  these  questions  by  exhorting  her  to  have 
patience  and  not  to  expect  too  much,  lest  she  might  be 
disappointed.  This,  however,  she  vowed  could  not  be 
the  case,  be  their  home  ever  so  humble.  She  also 
inquired  as  to  the  neighborhood  —  whether  there  were 
many  nice  people  with  whom  she  could  associate  ? 

He  replied  that  there  was  the  Earl  of  Mayfield,  who 
was  but  recently  married,  and  about  to  bring  his  wife 
home  also. 

Here  was  a  coincidence  and  one  of  a  nature  always 
interesting  to  the  female  mind,  but  the  lady  opined 
that  such  plain  people  as  themselves  could  not  expect 
to  see  much  of  the  earl  and  his  countess. 

To  this  her  husband  rejoined  that  he  knew  the  earl 
well  and  had  found  him,  as  he  thought,  very  affable. 
He  supposed  the  countess  would  guide  her  conduct  by 
that  of  her  lord,  unless,  indeed,  her  head  might  be 
turned  by  this  sudden  elevation,  as  he  believed  she  was 
of  a  good,  but  untitled,  family. 

"  Considering  your  short  residence  in  England,  Tom, 
dear,  and  your  position  as  a  plain,  private  gentleman,  it 
seems  to  me  you  have  been  wonderfully  successful  in 
making  so  many  acquaintances  among  the  nobility." 

"  Oh,  these  Englishmen  are  not  half  so  stiff  and 
haughty  as  they  have  the  credit  of  being.     Besides,  my 


430  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

own  love,  they  look  upon  me  as  an  Englishman  also, 
you  know." 

,  "  Oh,  I  do  not  know  anything  about  it,  dearest," 
answered  she,  with  a  smile,  "  but  I  will  take  your  word 
for  it  and  content  myself  in  peace." 

"Like  the  sweet,  obedient  wife  that  you  are,"  an- 
swered he,  caressing  her. 

With  such  conversations  did  the  pair  spend  their 
time,  varied  by  walks  and  drives  about  the  lovely  city. 
The  lady,  too,  managed  to  do  much  in  the  way  of 
shopping,  for  she  soon  found  her  husband  to  be  exceed- 
ingly exacting  in  his  ideas  as  to  her  attire.  She  thought 
him  extravagant  and  was  fearful  of  the  strain  on  his 
supposed  slender  purse.  Still,  as  she  was  an  obedient 
spouse,  she  deemed  it  best  to  do  as  he  liked,  the  more 
particularly  that,  in  common  with  most  of  her  sex,  she 
was  fond  of  making  an  elegant  appearance. 

At  last,  the  long  wished  for  day  arrived  when  the 
young  couple  were  to  leave  gay  Paris  for  their  future 
home. 

Mignon  was  still  to  remain  with  her  fair  mistress. 
The  affection  subsisting  between  these  two  was  no 
ordinary  bond.  The  mother  consented,  feeling  it  was 
best  for  her  child  to  have  an  assured  home,  under  the 
protection  of  a  mistress  who  treated  her  as  a  friend 
rather  than  as  a  servant. 

These  three,  then,  found  themselves,  in  due  time,  on 
the  Dover  steamer,  sailing  out  of  the  port  of  Calais. 
The  sky  was  overcast  and  it  was  blowing  rather  hard, 
but  the  trip  across  the  channel  was  a  short  one,  and  as 
the  fair  young  countess  was  a  good  sailor,  she  persisted 


THE     EARL    OF    MAYFIELD.  431 

in  remaiiung  on  deck  with  her  husband.  Poor  Mignon, 
however,  who  had  never  been  at  sea  before,  was  both 
sick  and  terrified.  She  lay  helpless  in  her  berth,  not 
stirring  until  tlie  steamer  arrived  at  its  destination. 

When  a  little  more  than  half  the  passage  was  accom- 
plished, the  Aveather  had  cleared.  A  strong  wind  blew 
the  heavy  clouds  away  and  the  sun  now  made  its 
appearance  at  intervals.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  as 
the  loving  pair  were  promenading  the  deck,  land  ahead 
became  visible.     Our  hero  saw  it,  and,  pointing,  said 

"  Behold,  my  wife !  the  white  cliffs  of  England,  our 
future  home  !  See  how  brilliantly  the  heights  of  Dover 
are  illuminated  by  the  rays  of  the  sun  I  I  draw  from 
this  circumstance  a  happy  augury  of  the  warm  welcome 
awaiting  us  at  home." 

"  Dear  old  England  ! ''  answered  his  wife  ;  "  it  greets 
me  with  a  smile  on  my  first  sight  of  its  shores.  We  will 
be  happy,  dearest  love,  I  am  sure." 

As  soon  as  the  boat  landed  and  they  could  get  through 
with  the  custom-house  officials,  our  hero  escorted  his 
bride  to  the  train.  This  speedily  deposited  them  at 
Tun  bridge,  where  they  had  to  wait  a  few  minutes  for 
the  connecting  train  for  Wadhurst.  This  station,  at 
which  they  were  to  take  a  carriage  for  home,  was  but  a 
few  miles  distant. 

The  countess  was  the  first  to  see  Brandon,  who  was 
in  waiting  to  receive  them.  She  waved  her  hand  in 
recognition,  to  which  he  responded  by  lifting  his  hat. 

The  train  now  drew  up  to  the  small  station,  and  the 
secretary  himself  opened  the  door  of  the  compartment 
to  let  them  out. 


432  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

"Now,  sweetheart,  we  have  but  five  miles  to  drive, 
and  then,  love,  you  shall  have  an  old  fashioned  English 
welcome,"  said  the  husband,  as  he  handed  his  young 
wife  out  of  the  train. 

"  Not  quite  so  fast,"  interposed  Brandon.  "  The  Earl 
of  Mayfield  is  expected  home  with  his  bride  to-day — in 
fact,  I  believe  the}^  are  on  this  train  —  and  he  especially 
desires  that  3'ou  both  will  meet  himself  and  the  countess 
at  the  Palace  before  going  home." 

"  This  is  vexatious !  "  cried  she.  "  It  seems  to  me 
sometimes  that  I  am  never  to  get  a  glimpse  of  this  long- 
sought  home.  Tom,  dear,  let  us  give  this  lord  the  slip. 
Send  an  excuse." 

"  This  is  not  easy  to  do,  for  he  has  ordered  one  of  his 
carriages  to  be  sent  for  you.  There  it  is,"  said  Brandon, 
beckoning  to  the  man  to  drive  up. 

It  is  needless  to  inform  the  reader  that  all  this  by- 
play had  been  previously  arranged  between  the  earl  and 
his  secretary. 

The  fair  lady  was  disposed  to  pout  a  little,  but  when 
her  husband,  with  a  smile,  told  her  the  detention  would 
be  but  short  and  that  his  house  was  very  near  the  Palace, 
she  stepped  gracefully  into  the  carriage,  without  another 
word. 

The  order  was  now  given,  after  Brandon  and  Mignon 
had  also  entered,  to  drive  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  May- 
field.  It  was  easy  to  see,  as  they  neared  the  usually 
quiet  hamlet,  that  it  was  a  gala  day.  Everybody  was 
out  of  doors.  The  houses  were  all  opened.  Several 
flags  were  flying,  and,  as  they  turned  out  of  the  upper 
end  of  the  main  street,  leaving  St.  Dunstan's  Church  on 


THE     EARL     OF     MAY  FIELD.  433 

the  right,  the  Palace  came  into  full  view,  while  from 
Its  highest  tower  floated  the  broad  ensign  of  old 
England. 

"Oh!  it  is  grand!  What  a  beautiful  sight!"  cried 
the  bride,  clapping  her  hands.  "And  the  old  barbacan, 
too,"  she  continued.  "It  is  like  a  romance  of  the 
middle  ages ! " 

As  they  drew  up  under  the  entrance  arch  to  the 
park,  an  inscription  hung  across  its  top,  on  a  white 
cloth,  in  large  black  letters,  containing  these  words : 

"  HAIL   TO   THE    COUNTESS   OF  MAYFIELD  !  " 

"  What  a  happy  woman  she  must  be ! "  cried  the 
bride. 

"  Do  you  not  envy  her  ?  "  asked  the  husband. 

Her  only  reply  was  a  little  caress,  despite  the  presence 
of  Brandon. 

Our  hero  continued :  "  I  forgot  to  tell  you,  love,  that 
our  old  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitefield,  are  in  May- 
field;  they  have  just  arrived,  we  shall  meet  them  at 
the  palace,  the  earl  has  been  kind  enough  to  invite 
them  also." 

"  How  delightful !  Dear  Mrs.  Whitefield !  I  think 
so  much  of  her,  what  a  happy  coincidence,"  said  she. 

At  this  moment,  a  band  of  music,  concealed  in  the 
barbacan,  struck  up  the  well  known  strains  of  "  See 
the  conquering  hero  comes." 

"Who  can  that  be  meant  for?"  asked  the  lady. 

"  The  earl  with  his  bride  must  be  behind  us,"  replied 
Brandon,  looking  out  of  the  window ;  he  seemed  sur- 
27 


434  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

prised  wlien  he  did  so,  which  caused  our  hero  to  look 
out  also,  and  sure  enough  there  was  a  carriage  coming 
after  them;  it  was  now  halted  under  the  arch  of  the 
barbacan.  The  gentlemen  exchanged  looks,  but  Bran- 
don slightly  shook  his  head  as  though  intimating  that 
he  did  not  understand  what  this  carriage  might  mean. 

A  few  moments  more  brouglit  them  to  the  main 
entrance  of  the  palace,  under  the  grand  portico;  here 
the  veliicle  stopped,  the  door  was  speedily  opened  by 
obsequious  lackeys,  and  the  bride  and  groom,  now 
husband  and  wife,  ascended  the  great  stairs,  which 
were  lined  with  two  rows,  one  on  each  side,  of  footmen, 
in  their  gorgeous  livery  of  crimson  and  gold,  standing 
like  statues,  at  a  military  salute. 

"  Come  love,"  said  the  husband  encouragingly,  as  he 
felt  her  cling,  trembling  a  little,  more  closely  to  his 
jirm.  ''  It  Avill  soon  be  over,  here  are  old  friends  to 
welcome  you."  As  he  uttered  these  words  they  entered 
the  grand  drawling  room  and  Mr.  Whitefield  came  for- 
ward with  his  wife  to  greet  them ;  old  Goldsmith  was 
9,lso  there. 

The  fair  young  girl  felt  much  relieved  at  this 
reprieve,  for  she  dreaded  being  ushered  after  her  long 
journey,  directly  into  the  presence  of  the  earl  and  his 
bride,  as  she  had  expected  would  be  the  case. 

The  party  were  just  begining  to  settle  themselves 
comfortably  about  the  room,  when  a  servant  announced 
in  a  loud  voice, 

''Their  Graces,  the  Duke  and  Duchess  of  Norfolk." 

Here  was  a  bombshell,  and  a  denouement  with  a 
vengeance.     This  was  totally  unexpected  by  all. 


THE     EARL     OF    M  A  Y  F  I  E  L  D.  435 

The  earl  glanced  at  Goldsmith,  and  then  at  Brandon 
for  an  explanation,  but  each  shook  his  head,  neither 
knowing  anything  more  about  the  matter  than  himself. 

There  was  no  time  to  lose  as  the  duke  and  duchess 
now  entered  the  room,  arm-in-arm.  The  earl  therefore 
was  compelled  to  hasten  to  receive  and  welcome  them. 

The  countess  was  the  least  surprised  person  in  the 
party,  for  it  seemed  perfectly  natural  to  her  that  the 
duke  should  come  with  his  wife,  to  call  upon  the  same 
couple,  for  whom  she  imagined  herself  to  be  in  wait- 
ing. 

The  earl  said :  "  I  am  infinitely  obliged  for  the 
honor  of  this  visit,  we  have  but  just  arrived  ourselves." 

"I  am  aware  of  it,"  replied  the  duke,  "we  wished 
to  give  you  a  little  surprise !  Cousin  of  Mayfield, 
allow  me  to  present  you  to  the  Duchess." 

The  duchess  with  great  cordiality  said :  "  I  must 
also  call  you  cousin ;  the  Hastings  and  the  Carews 
have  often  intermarried  in  old  times." 

"And  now,"  said  the  duke,  "it  does  not  require 
much  discernment  to  discover  which  of  these  ladies  is 
the  Countess  of  Mayfield,"  as  he  concluded,  he  bowed 
low  to  the  bride. 

She  grew  pale  at  this,  but  was  about  to  reply,  when 
her  husband  came  up  with  the  duchess,  and  the  duke 
again  spoke  ;  saying  to  the  earl, 

"  Cousin  of  Mayfield,  you  must  allow  me  the  privi- 
lege of  presenting  your  fair  countess  to  my  wife,  as  I 
wish  them  to  —  " 

He  did  not  finish  the  sentence,  as  the  countess,  for 
the  first,  and  only  time  in  her  life,  had  fainted  in  dead 


436  THE    EARL    OF    MAYFIELD. 

earnest ;  she  would  have  fallen  had  not  her  husband 
sprang  forward  in  time  to  catch  her  in  his  arms. 

All  was  now  confusion ;  the  other  ladies  rushed  to  the 
assistance  of  the  countess,  carrying  her  out  of  the  room  ; 
the  duke  demanded  an  explanation  ;  this  was  given  him 
in  a  few  words  by  the  earl,  who  said,  in  conclusion  that 
he  had  intended  breaking  the  whole  to  her  that  night, 
after  they  had  retired,  but  the  sudden  and  unexpected 
arrival  of  their  Graces  had  upset  his  plans. 

It  was  now  reported  to  the  gentlemen  that  the 
countess  was  full}^  recovered ;  this  was  confirmed  by 
her  return  to  the  room,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  the 
duchess,  and  graciously  acknowledging  the  congratula- 
tions of  her  friends. 

All's  well  that  ends  well.  Emotions  of  the  kind 
endured  by  the  fair  Countess  of  Mayfield  on  learning 
for  the  first  time  of  the  rank  to  which  she  had  attained 
through  her  husband,  are  seldom  injurious.  She  soon 
recovered,  and  bore  her  honors  with  becoming  grace, 
and  meekness. 

Our  story  draws  to  a  close  ;  it  will  be  only  necessary 
to  add,  that  Lord  Ma3'field  found  not  only  old  Jake 
and  his  wife  Hannah  at  Mayfield,  installed  in  their 
position  as  lodge  keepers  at  the  barbacan ;  but,  he  also 
found,  to  his  great  gratification,  that  his  old  valet 
Sebastian,  accompanied  by  his  wife  Sallie,  had  come 
over  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitefield ;  the  faithful  boy 
being  determined  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  life 
with  his  old  master.  Sebastian  Avas  at  once  installed 
in  his  old  position,  and  the  sweet  young  Countess 
appointed  Sallie  to  wait  upon  herself,  being  subordi- 
nate, of  course,  to  the  faithful  Mignon. 


THE    EARL     OF    MAYFIELD.  437 

This  latter,  by-the-way,  vowed  she  had  always  been 
sure  that  Monsieur  was  un  3Iilord ;  she  was  delighted 
beyond  expression  at  the  good  fortune  of  her  dear 
mistress  and  friend,  and  never  tired  of  addressing  her 
by  her  full  titles. 

The  Duke  with  his  Duchess,  returned  home  on  the 
second  day  after  their  arrival  at  Mayfield,  and  gave  the 
Earl  and  his  Countess  a  cordial  invitation  to  spend  a 
week  at  Arundel  castle,  when  the}^  should  find  leisure 
to  do  so ;  this  act  of  courtesy  was  accepted  in  the  same 
spirit  in  which  it  was  offered. 

Whitefield,  with  his  good  wife,  spent  nearly  three 
months  at  Mayfield,  when  business  engagements  at  his 
far  off  home  in  Louisiana,  compelled  the  good  lawj^er 
to  tear  himself  away;  not,  however,  until  he  had 
promised  to  return  to  England  on  the  following 
summer. 

Mr.  Goldsmith  reaped  a  full  reward  for  his  faithful 
services ;  he  was  justly  considered  by  the  earl  as  being 
a  true  friend  and  most  valuable  adviser ;  when  he  came 
to  Mayfield,  which  was  often,  he  was  always  an  honored 
guest  at  the  Palace. 

Mignon,  the  faithful  and  true,  remained,  a  permanent 
portion  of  the  establishment,  and  was,  in  the  coui-se  of 
a  few  years  joined  by  her  mother,  whose  eyesight  had 
been  failing  latterly,  and  who  concluded  she  had  best 
go  to  England  and  join  her  daughter. 

Brandon,  too,  remained  in  his  old  position  as  secre- 
tary ;  his  father  having  recently  died,  he  had  no  ties  left 
in  America,  he  was  crippled  and  a  bachelor,  soon  to  be 
an  old  one,  he  said,  and  would,  therefore,  devote  the 


438  THE     EARL     OF     MAYFIELD. 

remainder  of  his  life  to  the  service  of  his  old  friend 
and  patron. 

And  now,  fair  Countess  of  Ma^'iield !  SAveet  Mary 
Stuart,  that  was,  how  shall  we  part  from  thee?  Thou 
hast  lingered  in  our  memor}'  like  a  fairy  vision.  What 
can  we  say  of  thee,  more  worthy  to  relate,  than  the 
fact,  that  thou  wast  true  to  thy  marriage  vows  unto  the 
end? 

True  daughter,  fair  matron  and  faithful  wife !  What 
more  can  be  said  ?     Adieu  ! 


THE    END. 


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Miss  Crespigny.     A  Charming  Love  Story.     By  author  of"  Kathleen." 
Theo.     A  Love  Story.     By  author  of  "  Kathleen,"  "  Miss  Crespigny,"  etc. 
Pretty  Polly  Pemberton.     By  author  of  "  Kathleen,"  "  Theo,"  etc. 
Above  are  in  paper  cover,  price  50  cents  each,  or  in  cloth,  at  $1.00  each. 

Jarl's  Daughter  and  Other  Tales.     By  Mrs.  Burnett.     Price  25  cents, 
Lindsay's  Luck.     By  Mrs.  Frances  Hodgson  Burnett.     Price  25  cents. 

MRS.  SOUTHWORTH'S  LOVE  STORIES. 

Syhil  Brotherton.     A  Novel.     By  Mrs.  Emma  D.  E.  N.  Southworth. 
The  Red  Hill  Tragedy.     By  Mrs.  Emma  D.  E.  N.  Southworth. 
Above  are  in  paper  cover,  price  50  cents  each,  or  in  cloth,  at  $1.00  each. 


Above  Books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  en  receipt  of  Retail  Prica, 
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T.  B.  PETERSON  and  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 


1^*  Orders    solicited  from  Booksellers,   Librarians,    News  AgentBi 
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MRS.  EMMA  D.  E.  N.  SOUTHWORTH'S  WORKS. 

complete  in  forty-three  large  d'mdecimo  volumes,  hound  in  morocco  cloth,  giU  hatihf 
price.  $1.75  eacli ;   or  $75.25  a  set,  eac/i  set  is  jjut  ujj  in  a  neat  box. 

The  Phantom  "Wedding;  or,  The  Fall  of  the  House  of  Flint, .^1  75 


Self-Raised;  From  the  Depths..$I  75 

Ishmael;  or,  In  the  Depths,....  1  75 

TheMother-ia-Law, 1  75 

The  Fatal  Secret, 1  75 

How  He  Won  Her, 1  75 

Fair  Play, 1  75 

The  Spectre  Lover, 1  75 

Victor's  Triumph, 1  75 

A  Beautiful  Fiend, 1  75 


The  Fatal  Marriage, 1   75 

The  Deserted  Wife, 1  75 

The  Fortune  Seeker, 1  75 

The  Bridal  Eve, 1  75 

The  Lost  Heiress, 1  75 

The  Two  Sisters, 1  75 

Lady  of  the  Isle, 1  75 

Prince  of  Darkness, 1  75 

The  Three  Beauties, 1  75 


The  Artist's  Love, 1  75  Vivia;  or  the  Secret  of  Power,  1  75 


A  Noble  Lord, 1  75 

Lost  Heir  of  Linlithgow, 1  75 

Tried  for  her  Life, 1  75   Retribution, 1  75 


Cruel  as  the  Grave, 1  75 

The  Maiden  Widow, 1  75 

The  Family  Doom, 1  75 

The  Bride's  Fate, 1  75 

The  Changed  Brides, 1  75 

Fallen  Pride, 1  75 

Tbe  Widow's  Son, 1  75 

The  Bride  of  Llewellyn, 1  75 


Love's  Labor  Won, 1  75 

The  Gipsy's  Prophecy, 1  75 


The  Christmas  Guest, 1  75 

Ifeiunted  Homestead, 1  75 

Wife's  Victory, '. 1  76 

AUworth  Abbey, 1  75 

India;  Pearl  of  Pearl  River,..  1  75 

Curse  of  Clifton, 1  75 

Discarded  Daughter, 1  75 

The  Mystery  of  Dark  Hollow,..  1  75 

The  Missing  Bride;  or,  Miriam,  the  Avenger, 1  75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

MRS.   CAROLINE  LEE  HENTZ'S  WORKS. 

Oreen   and   Gold   Edition.      Complete    in  twelve  volum.es,  in  green   m,orocco  cloth, 
price  $1.75  mich  ;  or  $21.00  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box, 

Ernest  Linwood, $1  75  |  Love  after  Marriage, $1  7f 

The  Planter's  Northern  Bride,..  1  75  I  Eoline;  or  Magnolia  Vale, 1  75 

Courtship  and  Marriage, 1  75    The  Lost  Daughter, 1  75 

Rena;  or,  the  Snow  Bird, 1  75    The  Banished  Son, 1  75 

Marcus  Warland, 1  75  |  Helen  and  Arthur, 1  75 

Linda;  or,  the  Young  Pilot  of  the  Belle  Creole, 1  75 

Robert  Graham;  the  Sequel  to  "  Linda;  or  Pilot  of  Belle  Creole,"...  1  75 
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<g" Above  Books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  Price 
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2  T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 


MRS.  ANN  S.  STEPHENS'  WORKS. 

(hmvlete  in  twenty-three  large  duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  morocco  cloth,  gill  back 
price  $1.75  each  ;  or  $40.'25  a  sat,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

The  Soldiers' Orphans, $1  7i 

A  Noble  Woman, 1  7i 

Silent  Struggles, 1  76 


Korston's  Rest, !i?l  ^5 

Bertha's  Engagement, 1  75 

Bellehood  and  Bondage, 1  75 

The  Old  Countess 1  75 

Lord  Hope's  Choice, 1  75 

The  Reigning  Belle,... 1  75 

Palaces  and  Prisons, 1  75 

Married  in  Haste 1  75 

Wives  and  Widows, 1  75 

Ruby  Gray's  Strategy 1  75 


The  Rejected  Wife, 1  75 

The  Wife's  Secret, 1  7* 

Mary  Derwent, 1  75 

Fashion  and  Famine, 1  75 

The  Curse  of  Gold, 1  75 

Mabel's  Mistake, 1  75 

The  Old  Homestead, 1  75 


Doubly  False 1   75  ]  The  Heiress,....  1  75  1  The  Gold  Brick,...  1  75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 


MRS.  C.  A.  WARFIELD'S  WORKS. 

Cbmplete  in  nine  large  duodecimo  vnlumex,  bound  in  morocco  cloth,  gilt  back,  prici 
$1.75  each;  or  $15.75  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

Miriam's  Memoirs, $1   75 

Monfort  Hall, 1  75 

Sea  and  Shore 1  7a 


The  Cardinal's  Daughter, $1  75 

Feme  Fleming, 1  75 

The  Household  of  Bouverie,...,  1  75 

A  Double  Weddin'' 1   75  |  Hester  Howard's  Temptation,..  1  75 


lady  Ernestine  J  or.  The  Absent  Lord  of  Rocheforte,, ....  1  75 

BEST  COOK  BOOKS  PUBLISHED. 

Every  housekeeper  should  poxsei^s  at  least  one  of  the  folloiving  Cook  Books,  as  they 
ivould  save  the  price  of  it  in  a  week's  evoking. 

The  Queen  of  the  Kitchen.     Containing  1007  Old  Maryland 

Family  Receipts  for  Cooking Cloth, 

Miss  Leslie's  New  Cookery  Book, Cloth, 

Mrs.  Hale's  New  Cook  Book, Cloth, 

Petersons'  New  Cook  Book Cloth, 

Widdifield's  New  Cook  Book, Cloth, 

Mrs.  Goodfellow's  Cookery  as  it  Should  Be, Cloth, 

The  National  Cook  Book.     By  a  Practical  Housewife, Cloth, 

The  Young  Wife's  Cook  Book Cloth, 

Miss  Leslie's  New  Receipts  for  Cooking, Cloth, 

Mrs.  Hale's  Receipts  for  the  Million, Cloth, 

The  Family  Save-All.    By  author  of  "National  Cook  Book,"  Cloth, 
Francatelli's  Modern  Cook.     With  the    most  approved    methods   of 
French,  English,  Germnn,  and  Italian  Cookery.     With  Sixty-two 
Illustrations.     One  volume  of  600  pages,  bound  in  morocco  cloth,  5  08 


$1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

1  75 

.1  75 

1^  Above  Books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  Prio^ 
bj  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  Pa, 


T.  B,  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIOKS.    3 
MISS  ELIZA  A.  DUPUY'S  WORKS. 

Pompleie  in  fourteen  large  duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  morocco  cloth,  gilt  back,  prim 
$1.75  each;  or  $24.50  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 


A  New  Way  to  Win  a  Fortune  $1  75 

The  Discarded  Wife, 1  75 

The  Clandestine  Marriage, 1  75 

The  Hidden  Sin, 1  75 

The  Dethroned  Heiress, 1  75 

The  Gips3''s  Warning, 1  75 

All  For  Love, 1  75 


Why  Did  He  Marry  Her? $1  75 

Who  Shall  be  Victor? 1  75 

The  Mysterious  Guest, 1  75 

Was  He  Guilty? 1  7* 

The  Cancelled  Will, 1  7i 

The  Planter's  Daughter, 1  75 

xMichael  Rudolph, 1  7* 


Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

DOESTICKS'  WORKS. 

Complete  in  four  large  duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  cloth,  gilt  back,  price  $1.75 
each  ;  or  $7.00  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  nent  box. 

Doesticks'  Letters, $1  75  I  The  Elephant  Club, $1  75 

Plu-Ri-Bus-Tah, 1   75  |  Witches  of  New  York, 1   75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

JAMES  A.  MAITLAND'S  WORKS. 

Complete  in  seven  large,  duodecimo   volumes,  bound  in  cMh.  gilt  t>ack,  price  $1.7> 
each  ;  or  $12.25  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

The  Watchman, $1  75  1  Diary  of  an  Old  Doctor, $1  75 

The  Wanderer, 1  75    Sartaroe, 1  75 

The  Lawyer's  Story, 1  75  '  The  Three  Cousins, 1  75 

The  Old  Patroon  ;  or  the  Great  Van  Broek  Property, 1  75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

T.  ADOLPHTTS  TROLLOPE'S  WORKS. 

Complete  in  seven  large    duodecimo  volume::,  bound  in  cloth,  gilt  back,  price  $1.75 
each  ;  or  $12.25  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

The  Sealed  Packet, $1  75  I  Dream  Numbers, $1  75 

Garstang  Grange, 1  75  1  Beppo,  the  Conscript, 1  75 

liconora  Casaloni,...  1  75  [  Gemuia., 1  75  |  Marietta, I  76 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  eaoh. 

FREDRIKA  BREMER'S  WORKS. 

GimpJete  in  six  large  duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  cloth,  giU  back,  price  t]..^^eat\', 
or  $10.50  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

Father  and  Daughter, $1  75  I  The  Neighbors, $1  7« 

The  FoMr  Sisters, 1  75  I  The  Home, .   1  7i 

Abov»  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 
Life  in  the  Old  World.     In  two  volumes,  cloth,  price, 3  51 


1^^  Above  Books  will  be  sent  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  Price, 
by  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS.    5 


ALEXANDER  DUMAS'  WORKS. 


Count  of  Monte-Cristo, $1  50 

Edinond  Dantes, 75 

The  Three  Guardsmen, 75 

Twenty  Years  After, 75 

Bragelonne, 75 

The  Iron  Mask, 1  00 

Louise  La  Valliere, 1  00 

Diana  of  Meridor, 1  00 

Adventures  of  a  Marquis,  1  00 

Love  and  Liberty,  (l7y2-'93) ..  1  50 


Memoirs  of  a  Physician, ...$1  00 

Queen's  Necklace, 1  00 

Six  Years  Later, 1  00 

Countess  of  Charny, 1  00 

Andree  de  Taverney, 1  00 

The  Chevalier, 1  00 

Forty-five  Guardsmen, 1  00 

The  Iron  Hand, 1  00 

The  Conscript, ]  50 

Countess  of  Monte-Cristo, 1  00 


Camille;  or.  The  Fate  of  a  Coquette,  (La  Dame  Aux  Camelias,) 1  50 

The  above  are  each  in  paper  cover,  or  in  cloth,  price  $1.75  each. 


The  Mohicans  of  Paris, 75 

The  Horrors  of  Paris, 75 

The  Fallen  Angel, 75 

Felina  de  Chambure, 75 

Sketches  in  France, 75 

Isabel  of  Bavaria, 75 

Twin  Lieutenants, 75 

Man  with  Five  Wives, 75 


Annette ;  or.  Lady  of  Pearls,...  76 

George;  or,  Isle  of  France, 50 

Madame  De  Chamblay 60 

The  Black  Tulip, 60 

The  Corsican  Brothers, 50 

The  Count  of  Moret, 60 

The  Marriage  Verdict, 60 

Buried  Alive, 25 


GEORGE  W.  M.  REYNOLDS' 

Mysteries  Court  of  London,. ...$I  00 

Kose  Foster, 1  50 

Caroline  of  Brunswick, 1  00 

Venetia  Trelawney, 1  00 

Lord  Saxondale, 1  00 

Count  Christoval, 1  00 

Rosa  Lambert, 1   00 

Wallace,  the  Hero  of  Scotland,.  1   00 


The  Mysteries  of  the  Court  of  Naples,  full  of  Illustrations 1 

Robert  Bruce,  the  Hero-King  of  Scotland,  full  of  Illustrations, 1 

The  above  are  each  in  paper  cover,  or  in  cloth,  price  $1.75  each. 


WORKS. 

Mary  Price, $1  00 

Eustace  Quentin, 1  00 

00 
00 
(^ 
00 
00 
00 
00 
08 


Joseph  Wilmot., 1 

Banker's  Daughter, 1 

Kenneth, 1 

The  Rye-House  Plot, 1 

The  Necromancer, 1 

The  Gipsy  Chief, 1 


Mary  Stuart,  Queen  of  Scots,..  75 

The  Opera  Dancer, 75 

Child  of  Waterloo, 75 

Isabella  Vincent, 75 

Vivian  Bertram, 75 

Countess  of  Lascelles, 75 

Duke  of  Marchmont, 75 

Massacre  of  Glencoe, 75 

Loves  of  the  Harem, 75 

The  Soldier's  Wife, 75 

May  Middleton, 75 


Ellen  Percy, 75 

Agnes  Evelyn, 75 

Pickwick  Abroad, 75 

Parricide, 76 

Discarded  Queen, 75 

Life  in  Paris, 60 

The  Countess  and  the  Page,....  74 

Edgar  Montrose, 69 

The  Ruined  Gamester, 50 

Clifford  and  the  Actress, 60 

Ciprinaj  or,  the  Secrets, 60 


^'  Above  books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Eetail  Frie% 
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1    T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHEBS'  PUBLICATIONS. 

— _ — >4 

WILKIE  COLLINS'  BEST  WORKS. 

Basil;  or,  The  Crossed  Path..$l  50  |  The  Dead  Secret.     12mo $1  5« 

Above  are  each  in  one  largo  duodecimo  volume,  bound  in  cloth. 

The  Dead  Secret,  8vo 75  I  The  Queen's  Revenge, 7i 

Basil;  or,  the  Crossed  Path, 75    xMiss  or  Mrs? 50 

Hide  and  Seek, 75    Mad  Monkton, 50 

After  Dark, 75  '  Sights  a-Foot, 50 

The  Stolen  Mask, 25  |  The  Yellow  Mask,...  25  |  Sister  Rose,...  2S 

The  above  books  are  each  issued  in  paper  cover,  in  octavo  form. 

FRANK  FORRESTER'S  SPORTING  BOOK. 

Frank  Forrester's  Sporting  Scenes  and  Characters.     By  Henry  "Wil- 
liam Herbert.     With  Illustrations  by  Darley.     Two  vols.,  cloth,...$4  0# 

EMERSON  BENNETT'S  WORKS. 

Complete  in  seven   larg'.   duodecimo  vohimfs,  honnd  in  clclh,  gilt  back,  price  $1.75 
each  ;  or  $12.25  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

The  Border  Rover, $1  75  I  Bride  of  the  Wilderness, $1  75 

Clara  Moreland 1  75    Ellen  Norbury, I  75 

The  Orphan's  Trials, I  75  '  Kate  Clarendon, 1  75 

Viola;  or  Adventures  in  the  Far  South-West, 1  75 

Above  are  each  iu  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 
the  Heiress  of  Bellefonte, 75  |  The  Pioneer's  Daughter, 75 

GREEN'S  WORKS  ON  GAMBLING. 

Complete   in  four  large  duodecimo   volumes,  bound   in  cloth,  gilt  back,  price  $1.78 
ezch  ;  or  $7.00  a  net,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 

Gambling  Exposed, $1  75  i  Reformed  Gambler, $1  75 

The  Gambler's  Life, 1  75  |  Secret  Band  of  Brother?, 1  75 

Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.50  each. 

DOW'S  PATENT  SERMONS. 

Compute  in  four  large  duodecimo  volumes,  bound  in  clnth,  gilt  back,  price   $1.5* 
each  ;  or  $6.00  a  set,  each  set  is  put  up  in  a  neat  box. 


Dow's  Patent  Sermons,  1st 
Series,  cloth, $1  50 

Dow's  Patent  Sermons,  2d 
Series,  cloth 1  50 


Dow's     Patent     Sermons,    3d 

Scries,  cloth, $1   i% 

Dow's  Patent  Sermons,  4th 
Series,  cloth 1  51 


Above  are  each  in  cloth,  or  each  one  is  in  paper  cover,  at  $1.00  each. 

MISS    BRADDON'S    WORKS. 

Aurora  Floyd, 75  I  The  Lawyers  Secret, 25 

Aurora  Floyd,  cloth 1  00  |  For  Better,  For  Worse, 75 


Above  books  will  be  seat,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  Fric^ 
by  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelpiila,  Pa. 


S    T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 


CHARLES  LEVER'S  BEST  WORKS. 

Arthur  O'Loary, 75 

Con  Cregan, li 

Davenport  Dunn, 75 

Horace  Templeton, 75 

Kate  O'Donoghue, 75 

edition  is  in  cloth  at  $2.00  each. 


Charles  O'Malley, 75 

Harry  Lorrcviuer, 75 

Jack  Ilintoii, 75 

Tom  Burke  of  Ours, 75 

Knight  of  Gwynne, 75 

Above  are  in  paper  cover,  or  a  jQiui 

A  Rent  in  a  Cloud, 50  [  St.  Patrick's  Eve, 50 

Ten  Thousand  a  Year,  in  one  volume,  paper  cover,  $1.50;  or  in  cloth,  2  00 
The  Diary  of  a  Medical  Student,  by  author     ^      ~" 


Ten  Thousand  a  Year, 


7i 


MRS.  HENRY  WOOD'S  BEST  BOOKS. 


The  Master  of  Greylands, $1  50 

Within  the  Maze, 1  60 

Dene  Hollow, 1  50 

Bessy  Kane, 1  50 

George  Canterbury's  Will, 1  50 

Veruer's  Pride, 1  50 

The  Channings, 1  50 1  Saint  Martin 

Roland  Yorke.     A  Sequel  to  "  The  Channings,"... 


The  Shadow  of  Ashlydyat, $1  51 

Squire  Trevlyn's  Heir, 1  50 

Oswald  Cray, 1  50 

Mildred  Arkell, 1  50 

The  Red  Court  Farm, 1  50 

Elster's  Folly, 1  50 

Eve, 1  50 

1  50 


Lord  Oakburn's  Daughters  ;  or.  The  Earl's  Heirs, 1  50 

The  Castle's  Heir  ;  or.  Lady  Adelaide's  Oath, 1  5i 

The  above  are  each  in  paper  cover,  or  in  cloth,  price  $1.75  each. 

Edina;  or.  Missing  Since  Midnight,  cloth,  $1,  paper  cover, 75 

The  Mystery, 75 

Parkwater.     Told  in  Twilight,       75 
The  Lost  Bank  Note 50 


The  Lost  Will, 50 

Orville  College, 50 

Five  Thousand  a  Year,  25 

The  Diamond  Bracelet,  25 

Clara  Lake's  Dream,  25 

The  Nobleman's  Wife, 25 

Frances  Hildyard, 25 

Cyrilla  Maude's  First  Love,...  25 

My  Cousin  Caroline's  Wedding  26 


A  Life's  Secret, 50 

The  Haunted  Tower 50 

The  Runaway  Match, 25 

Martyn  Ware's  Temptation, 25 

The  Dean  of  Denham, 25 

Foggy  Night  at  Oflford, 25 

William  Allair, 25 

A  Light  and  a  Dark  Christmas,  25 

The  Smuggler's  Ghost 25 

Rupert  Hall, 2S 

My  Husband's  First  Love, 25 

Marrying  Beneath  Your  Station  24 


EUGENE  SUE'S  GREAT  WORKS. 


The  Wandering  Jew, $1  50 

The  Mysteries  of  Paris, 1  50 

Martin,  the  Foundling,  1  50 

Above  are  in  cloth  at  $2.00  each. 


First  Love, 

Woman's  Love, ...... 

Female  Bluebeard,., 
Man-of-War's-Man, 


Life  and  Adventures  of  Raoul  de  Surville.     A  Tale  of  the  Empire, 


50 
50 
50 

50 

23 


l!|3*  Above  Books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  Prioe, 
by  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Brothers,  Philadelpbia,  Pa. 


T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS.  ^  7 
BOOKS  BY  AUTHOR  OF  "A  HEART  TWICE  WON." 

A  Heart  Twice  Won;  or,  Second  Love.  A  Love  Story.  By  Mrs.  Elxza- 
beth  Van  Loon,  author  of  ''The  Shadow  of  Hampton  Mead,"  "Under 
the  Willows:,"  etc.     Cloth,  black  and  gold.     Price  $1.50. 

Under  the  Willows;  or,  The  Three  Countesses.  JBy  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Van 
Loon,  author  of  "A  Heart  Twice  Won."  One  large  duodecimo  volume, 
in  morocco  cloth,  black  nnd  gold.     Price  $1.50. 

The  Shadow  of  Hampton  Mead.  A  Charming  Story.  By  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Van  Loon,  author  of  "A  Heart  Twice  Won."  One  large  duodecimo 
volume,  in  morocco  cloth,  black  and  gold.     Price  $1.50. 

NEW  AND  GOOD  BOOKS  BY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

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Family  Pride.     By  author  of  "  Pique,"  "  Family  Secrets,"  etc 1   75 

Self-Sacrifice.     By  author  of  "  Margaret  Maitland,"  etc 1  75 

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The  Morrisons.     By  Mrs.  Margaret  Ho.smer, 1  75 

The  Rich  Husband.     By  author  of  "  George  Geith," 1  75 

Woodburn  Grange.     A  Novel.     By  William  Howitt 1  75 

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My  Hero.     By  Mrs.  Forrester.     A  Charming  Love  Story, 1  75 

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«  •  •  •  » 

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8   T.  B,  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 
WORKS  BY  THE  VERY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

The  foUoicirig  books  are   each   issued   in    one   large  duodecimo  volume, 
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The  Brother's  Secret;  or,  the  Count  De  Mara.  By  VVilliatu  Godwin,  1  75 
The  Lost  Love.  By  Mrs.  Oliphant.  author  of  "  Margaret  Maitland,"  1  75 
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The  Bohemians  of  London.     By  Edward  M.  Whitty, 1  75 

"Wild  Sports  and  Adventures  in  Africa,  By  Major  W.  C.  Harris,  1  75 
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The  Jealous  Husband.     By  Annette  Marie  Maillard, 1   75 

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Currer  Lyle;  or,  the  Autobiography  of  an  Actre.^s.  By  Louise  Reeder.  1  75 

The  Cabin  and  Parlor.     By  J.  Thornton  Randolph.     Illustrated, 1  75 

The  Little  Beauty.     A  Love  Story.     By  Mrs.  Grey 1  75 

Lizzie  Glenn;   or,  the  Trials  of  a  Seamstress.     By  T.  S.  Arthur, 1  75 

Lady  Maud  ;  or,  the  Wonder  of  Kingswood  Chase.    By  Pierce  Egan,  1  75 

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The  Count  of  Monte-Cristo.     By  Alexander  Dumas, 1  75 

Edmond  Dantes.     A  Sequel  to  the  "  Count  of  Monte-Cristo," 1  75 

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Diana  of  Meridor,  or  Lady  of  Monsoreau.     By  Alexander  Dumas....  1  75 

The  Iron  Hand.    By  Alex.  Dumas,  author  "Count  of  Monte-Cristo,"  1  75 

Camille;  or  the  Fate  of  a  Coquette.     (La  Dame  aux  Camelias,) 1  75 

The  Conscript.     A  novel  of  the  Days  of  Xapoleon  the  First, 1  75 

Love  and  Liberty.     A  novel  of  the  French  Revolution  of  1792-1793,  1  75 

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Venetia  Trelawney;  or  "  End  of  the  Mysteries  of  the  Court  of  London,"  1  75 

Lord  Siixondale;  or  the  Court  of  Queen  Victoria.    By  Reynolds, 1  75 

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Rye-House  Plot;   or  the  Conspirator's  Daughter.    By  Reynolds, 1   7.'> 

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The  Gipsy  Chief.     By  George  W.  M.  Reynolds, 1   7o 

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■«••«»> 

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10   T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 


WORKS  BY  THE  VERY  BEST   AUTHORS. 

The  following  hooka  are  each  issued  in  one  large  octavo  volume,  bound  «• 
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Mysteries  of  Paris;  and  its  Sequel,  Gcrolstein.     By  Eugene  Sue,....  2  00 

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Washington  and  His  Generals.     By  George  Lippard, 2  00 

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J'lanche  of  Brandywino.     By  George  Lippard, 2  00 

Paul  Ardenheim;  the  Monk  of  Wissahickon.     By  George  Lippard,.  2  00 
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Col.  Thorpe's  Scenes  in  Arkansaw.     With  16  Illustrations, 1   50 

The  Big  Bear's  Adventures  and  Travels.   With  18  Illustrations, 1  75 

High  Life  in  New  York,  by  Jonathan    Slick.     With  Illustrations,....  1  75 

Judge  Haliburton's  Yankee  Stories.      Illustrated, 1  75 

Harry  Coverdale's  Courtship  and  Marriage.     Illustrated, 1  75 

Pincy  Wood's  Tavern;  or,  Sam   Slick  in  Texas.     Illustrated, 1  75 

Sam  Slick,  the  Clockmakcr.     By  Judge  Haliburton.     Illustrated,...   1  75 
Humors  of  Falconbridge.     By  J.  F.  Kelley.     With  Illustrations,  ...  1  75 

Jlodern  Chivalry.     By  Judge  Breckenridge.     Two  vols,,  each 1  75 

Neal's  Charcoal  Sketches.     By  Joseph   C.  Neal.     21  Illustrations,.,.  2  50 

>>^«'*' . 

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12  T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 
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without  a  Teacher.     By  A.  H.  Monteith.     One  volume,  cloth 2  00 

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The  Impeachment  Trial  of  President  Andrew  Johnson.     Cloth, 1  50 

Trial  of  the  Assassins  for  the  Murder  of  Abraham  Lincoln.     Cloth,...  1  50 

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ftiddell's   Model   Architect.     With  22  large  full  page  colored  illus- 
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Dene  Hollow.  By  Mrs.  Henry  Wood,  author  of  "  Within  the  Maze,"  1  75 
Bessy  Rane.  ByMrs.  Henry  Wood,  author  of  "  The  Channings,"....  1  75 
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Roland  Yorke.     A  Sequel  to  •' The  Channing.«."     By  Mrs.  Wood, 175 

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NEW  BOOKS  BY  THE  VERY  BEST  AUTHORS. 

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Ciiruien.     I3y  Prosper  Merimee.      The  original  work,  from  which  the  popu- 
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Father  Tom  and  the  Pope;  or,  A  Night  at  the  Vatica-n.     Illustrated. 

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Madame  Pompadour's  Garter.     A  Romance  of  the  Reign  of  Louis  XV. 

A  Woman's  Mistake;  or,  Jacques  do  Trevannes.     A  Charming  Love  Story. 

The  Story  of  Elizabeth.    By  Miss  Thackeray,  daushter  of  W.  M.  Thackeray. 

The  Matchmaker.     By  Beatrice  Reynolds.     A  Charming  Love  Story. 

Two  Ways  to  Matrimony  ;  or,  Is  it  Love?    or.  False  Pride. 

That  Girl  of  Mine.     By  the  author  of  "  That  Lover  of  Mine." 

Bessie's  Six  Lovers.     A  Charming  Love  Story.     By  Henry  Peterson. 

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HARRY  COCKTON'S  BEST  WORKS. 

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Shoulder  Straps.     By  Henry  Morford,  author  of  ''  Days  of  Shoddy,"  1  75 
Days  of  Shoddy.     By  Henry  Morford,  author  of  "Shoulder  Straps,"  1  75 

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Emerson  Bennett's  Novels.     Seven  volumes  in  all, ,.  12  25 

Green's  Works  on  Gambling.     Four  volumes  in  all, 7  00 

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George  Sand's  Works.     Consuelo,  etc.     Five  volumes  in  all, 7  50 

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Dow's  Short  Patent  Sermons.     Four  volumes  in  all,... 6  00 

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Charles  Dickens'  Works.     People's  l2mo.  Edition.    22  vols.,  cloth,  34  00 

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CHARLES    DICKENS'  WORKS. 

-^-GBEAT    KEDQCTION  IN  THEIR  PRICES. "Sa 


CHEAP  PAPER  COVER  EDITION  OF  DICKENS'  WORKS. 

Each  book  being  complete  in  one  large  octavo  volume. 


Pickwick  Papers, 50 

Nicholas  Nickleby, 50 

Dombey  and  Son, 50 

Our  Mutual  Friend, 50 

David  Copperfield, 50 

Martin  Chuzzlewit, 50 

Old  Curiosity  Shop, 50 

Oliver  Twist 50 

American  Notes, 25 

Hard  Times, 25 

A  Tale  of  Two  Cities, 25 

Somebody's  Luj^gage, 25 

Mrs.  Lirriper's  Lodgings, 25 

Mrs.  Lirriper's  Legacy, 25 

Mugby  Junction, 25 

Dr.  Marigold's  Prescriptions,...  25 

Mystery  of  Edwin  Drood, 25 

Message  from  the  Sea, 25 


Bleak  House, 56 

Little  Dorrit, 50 

Christmas  Stories, 60 

Barnaby  Rudge, 60 

Sketches  by"Boz," 60 

Great  Expectations, 50 

Joseph  Grimaldi, 60 

The  Pic-Nic  Papers, 60 

The  Haunted  House, 25 

Uncommercial  Traveller, 25 

A  House  to  Let, 25 

Perils  of  English  Prisoners, 25 

Wreck  of  the  Golden  Mary, 25 

Tom  Tiddler's  Ground, 25 

Dickens'  New  Stories, 25 

Lazy  Tour  of  Idle  Apprentices,.  25 

The  Holly-Tree  Inn, 25 

No  Thoroughfare, 25 


Hunted  Down;  and  Other  Reprinted  Pieces, 68 

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Reduced  in  price  from  $2.50  to  $1.50  o  volume. 
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Our  Mutual  Friend, Cloth,  $1.50 

Pickwick  Papers, Cloth,  1.50 

Nicholas  Nickleby, Cloth,  1.50 

Great  Expectations, Cloth,  1.50 

David  Copperfield, Cloth,  1.50 

Oliver  Twist, Cloth,  1.50 

Bleak  House, Cloth,  1.50 

A  Tale  of  Two  Cities,. ..Cloth,  1.50 


Little  Dorrit, Cloth,  $1.50 

Dombey  and  Son, ..Cloth,     1.50 

Christmas   Stories, Cloth,     1.50 

Sketches  by  "  Boz," Cloth,     1.50 

Barnaby  Rudge, Cloth,     1.50 

Martin  Chuzzlewit, Cloth,     1.50 

Old  Curiosity  Shop, Cloth,     1.50 

Dickens'  New  Stories,.. Cloth,     1.50 

Mystery  of  Edwin  Drood;  and  Master  Humphrey's  Clock, Cloth,     1.60 

American  Notes;  and  the  Uncommercial  Traveller, Cloth,     1.50 

Hunted  Down;  and  other  Reprinted  Pieces, Cloth,     1.50 

The  Holly-Tree  Inn;  and  other  Stories, Cloth,     1.60 

The  Life  and  Writings  of  Charles  Dickens, Cloth,     2.0% 

John  Jasper's  Secret.     Sequel  to  Mystery  of  Edwin  Drood,. ..Cloth,     2.00 

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«  "         Half  calf,  antique,  or  half  calf,  full  gilt  backs,  etc.  66.0(1 


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CHARLES  DICKENS'  WORKS. 

>•»*  GREAT    REDUCTION    IN    teEIR    PRICES.-®* 


ILLUSTRATED  OCTAVO  EDITION. 

Reduced  in  price  from  $2.50  to  $1.75  a  volume. 
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David  Copperfield, Cloth,  $1.75 

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Martin  Chuzzlewit, Cloth,  1.75 

Old  Curiosity  Shop, Cloth,  1.75 

Christmas  Stories, Cloth,  1.75 

Dickens'  New  Stories,... Cloth,  1.75 

A  Tale  of  Two  Citie.s... Cloth,  1.75 
American  Notes  and 

Pic-Nio  Papers, Cloth,  1.75 


Our  Mutual  Friend, Cloth,  $1.75 

Pickwick  Papers, Cloth,     1.75 

Nicholas  Nickleby, Cloth,     1.75 

Great  Expectations, Cloth,     1.75 

Lamplighter's  Story,. ...Cloth,     1.75 

Oliver  Twist, Cloth,     1.75 

Bleak  House, Cloth,     1.75 

Little  Dorrit, Cloth,     1.75 

Dombey  and  Son, Cloth,     1.75 

Sketches  by  '*  Boz," Cloth,     1.75 

Price  of  a  set,  in  Black  cloth,  in  eighteen  volumes, $.31.50 

"        "  Full  sheep,  Library  style, '... 40.00 

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the  handsomest  and  best  edition  ever  published  for  the  price. 

THE  LIFE  AND  WRITINGS  OF  CHARLES  DICKENS. 
THE  LIFE  OF  CHARLES  DICKENS.  By  Dr.  Ji.  Shelton  Mackenzie, 
containing  a  full  history  of  his  Life,  his  Uncollected  Pieces,  in  Prosa 
and  Verse;  Personal  Recollections  and  Anecdotes;  His  Last  Will  in 
full;  and  Letters  from  Mr.  Dickens  never  before  published.  With 
a  Portrait  and  Autograph  of  Charles  Dickens.     Price  $2.00. 


^" Above  books  will  be  sent,  postage  paid,  on  receipt  of  Retail  P^ic^ 
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CHARLES  DICKENS'  WORKS. 

.^-GREAT  REDUCTION  IN  THEIR  PRICES.'Sa. 


ILLUSTRATED  DUODECIMO  EDITION. 

Reduced  in  2)rice  from  $2.00  to  $1.50  a  volume. 
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tinted  paper,  from  designs  by  Cruikshauk,  Phiz,  Brotcne,  Maclite, 
McLenan,  and  other  artists.  This  is  the  only  edition  published  that  con- 
tains all  the  original  illustrations,  as  selected  by  Mr.  Charles  Dickens. 
The  following  are  each  contained  in  two  volumes. 


Our  Mutual  Friend, Cloth,  $3.00 

Pickwick  Papers Cloth,  3.00 

Tale  ofTwo  Cities, Cloth,  3.00 

Nicholas  Nicklebv, Cloth,  3.00 

David  Copperfield, Cloth,  3.00 

Oliver  Twist, Cloth,  3.00 

Christmas  Stories, Cloth,  3.00 


Bleak  House, Cloth,  $3.00 

Sketches  by  "Boz," Cloth,  3.00 

Barnaby  Rudge, Cloth,  3.00 

Martin  Chuzzlewit, Cloth,  3.00 

Old  Curiosity  Shop, Cloth,  3.00 

Little  Dorrit, Cloth,  3.00 

Dombey  and  Son, Cloth,  3.00 


The  following  are  each  complete  in  one  volume. 

Great  Expectations SI. 50  |  Dickens'  New  Stories,. ..Cloth,-  $1.50 

Mystery  of  Edwin  Drood;  and  Master  Humphrey's  Clock,. ...Cloth,     1.50 

American  Notes;  and  the  Uncommercial  Traveller, Cloth,     1.50 

Hunted  Down  :  and  other  Reprinted  Pieces, Cloth,     1.50 

The  Holly-Treo  Inn  ;  and  other  Stories, Cloth,     1.50 

The  Life  and  Writings  of  Charles  Dickens, Cloth,     2.00 

John  Jasper's  Secret.     Sequel  to  Mystery  of  Edwin  Drood,... Cloth,     2.00 

Price  of  a  set,  in  thirty-six  volumes,  bound  in  cloth, $55.00 

"  "         Full  sheep.  Library  style, 74.00 

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FRANK  FAIRLEGH'S  WORKS. 

Frank  Fairlegh, 75  I  Harry  Racket  Scapegrace, 75 

Lewis  Arundel, 1  00  I  Tom  Racquet, 75 

Finer  editions  of  the  above  are  also  issued  in  cloth,  at  $1.75  each 

Harry  Coverdale's    Courtship,  1  50  [  Lorrimer  Littlegood 50 

The  above  are  each  in  paper  cover,  or  in  cloth,  price  $1.75  each. 

The  Colville  Family,     By  author  of  ''Frank  Fairlegh," •  50 

MRS.  C.  J.  NEWBYS  WORKS. 

Sunshine  and  Shadow, 50  |  Trodden  Down. 50 

Kate  Kennedy, 60  j  Married, 50 

Wondrous  Strange 50  |  Common  Sense, 60 

Margaret  Hamilton, ,  50  I  Only  Temper, 50 

Kight  and  Left, 50  | 


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18  T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS'  PUBLICATIONS. 

^ 

HUMOROUS  AMERICAN  WORKS. 

With  Illuminated  Covers,  and  beautifidli/  Illustrated  by  Felix  0.  G.  Barley. 

Major  Jones's  Courtship.     With  Illustrations  by  Darlcy, 75 

Major  Jones's  Sketches  of  Travels.     Full  of  Illustrations 75 

The  Adventures  of  Captain  Simon  Sugg?.     Illustrated, 75 

Major  Jones's  Chronicles  of  Pineville.     Illustrated, 75 

Polly  Peablossom's  Wedding.     With  Illustrations, 75 

Widow  Rugby's  Husband.     Full  of  Illustrations, 74 

The  Big  Bear  of  Arkansas.     Illustrated  by  Darley, 7S 

Western  Scenes  ;   or.  Life  on  the  Prairie.     Illustrated, 75 

Streaks  of  Squatter  Life  and  Far  West  Scenes,     Illustrated, 75 

Pickings  from  the  New  Orleans  Picayune.     Illustrated, 75 

Stray  Subjects  Arrested  and  Bound  Over.     Illustrated, 75 

The  Louisiana  Swamp  Doctor..    Full  of  Illustrations, 75 

Charcoal  Sketches,     By  Joseph  C.  Neal.     Illustrated, 75 

Peter  Faber's  Misfortunes.     By  Joseph  C,  Neal,     Illustrated, 75 

Peter  Ploddy  and  other  Oddities.     By  Joseph  C.  Neal, 75 

Yankee  Among  the  Mermaids.     By  William  E.  Burton 75 

The  Drama  in  Pokerville.     By  J.  M.  Field.     Illustrated, 75 

New  Orleans  Sketch  Book.     With  Illustrations  by  Darley, 75 

The  Deer  Stalkers.     By  Frank  Forrester.     Illustrated, 75 

The  Quorndon  Hounds.     By  Frank  Forrester.     Illustrated, 75 

My  Shooting  Box.     By  Frank  Forrester,     Illustrated, 75 

The  Warwick  Woodlands.     By  Frank  Forrester.     Illustrated, 75 

Adventures  of  Captain  Farrago.     By  H.  H.  Brackenridge, 75 

Adventures  of  Major  O'Regan.     By  H.  H.  Brackenridge,  75 

Sol  Smith's  Theatrical  Apprenticeship.     Illustrated, 75 

Sol  Smith's  Theatrical  Journey-AVork,    Illustrated, 75 

Quarter  Race  in  Kentucky.     With  Illustrations  by  Darley, 75 

The  Mysteries  of  the  Backwoods.     By  T.  B,  Thorpe, 75 

Percival  Mayberry's  Adventures,     By  J.  H.  Ingraham, 75 

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Saveli'S  Expiation.     By  ITcnry  Grcrillc.     A  dramatic  and  jiowerful  novel,  and 
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Plllloinene's  Marriag-es.      From  the  French   of  "Les  Mariages  de  Plnbimine.'" 
By  Henry  Greville,  author  of  "  Dosia,"  '•  Saveli's  Expiation,"  "Galrielle,"  etc. 
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Fair  Play.  A  Noble  Lord. 

Tnfc  Lost  Heiress.  The  Gipsy's  Prophecy. 

How  He  Won  Her.  Lost  Heir  Linlithgow. 

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Prince  of  Darkness.  The  M:ssing  Bride. 

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Fallen  Pride.  The  Haunted  Homestead. 

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SALATHIEL;  THE  WANDERING  4EW.     By  Rev.  George  Croly. 

AURORA  FLOYD.     A  Love  Story.     By  Miss  Braddon. 

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CORINNE;  OR,  ITALY.     By  Madame  De  Stael. 

CYRILLA.     A  Love  Story.     By  author  of  "  The  Initials." 

FLIRTATIONS  IN  AMERICA;  or,   HIGH  LIFE  m  NEW  YORK- 

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THE  MAN  WITH  FIVE  WIVES.     By  Alexander  Duma», 

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PICKWICK  ABROAD.     Illustrated.     By  G.  W.  M.  Reynold*. 

FIRST  AND  TRUE  LOVE.     By  George  Sand. 

THE  MYSTERY.    A  Love  Story.     By  Mrs.  Henry  Wood. 

THE  STEWARD.     By  author  of  'Valentine  Vox." 

BASIL;  or,  THE  CROSSED  PATH.     By  Vv'ilkle  Collins. 

POPPING  THE  QUESTION.     By  author  of  "The  Jilt."  , 

THE  JEALOUS  WIFE.     By  Miss  Julia  Pardee. 

SYLVESTER  SOUND.     By  author  of  "Valentine  Vox." 

THE  CONFESSIONS  OF  A  PRETTY  WOMAN. 

THE  RIVAL  BEAUTIES.     By  Miss  Part:oe. 

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THE  PKIDE  or  LIFE.    A  Love  Story.    By  Lady  Jane  Scott. 

THE  BEAUTIPUL  WIDOW.    By  Mrs.  Percy  B.  Shelky. 

OORA  BELMONT ;  or,  The  Sincere  Lover. 

TWO  WAYS  TO  MATRIMONY ;  or,  Is  It  Love,  or.  False  Pride? 

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OUT  OF  THE  DEPTHS.    The  Story  of  a  Woman's  Life. 

THE  MATCHMAKER.    A  Society  Novel.    By  Beatrice  Reynolds. 

AUNT  PATTY'S  SCRAP  BAG.    By  Mrs.  Caroline  Lee  Hentz. 

THE  STORY  OF  "ELIZABETH."    By  Miss  Thackeray. 

FLIRTATIONS  IN  FASHIONABLE  LIFE.    By  Catharine  Sinclair 

THE  HEIRESS  IN  THE  FAMILY.    By  Mrs.  Mackenzie  Daniels. 

LOVE  AND  DUTY.    A  Love  Story.    By  Mrs.  Hubback. 

THE  COQUETTE;  or,  The  Life  and  Letters  of  Eliza  Wharton. 

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WOMAN'S  WRONG.    A  Book  for  Women.    By  Mrs.  Eiloart. 

HAREM  LIFE  IN  EGYPT  AND  CONSTANTINOPLE. 

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COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

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Wilmer 
779 


